Trae Young stokes fire of the Hawks and Knicks rivalry

NBA: APR 17 Play In East Hawks at Bulls

The Hawks topped the Knicks last night 121-116 behind a career-best performance from top pick Zaccharie Risacher.

Atlanta’s rookie joined some elite company on Wednesday, becoming the fourth youngest player in NBA history to score 30+ points without a turnover. Risacher didn’t do it alone, though.

Jalen Johnson chipped in 23 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists. He’s averaging a career-best across the board of 18.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. And of course, Trae Young did his part.

The star point guard put up 23 points, 10 assists and six rebounds against Knicks. According to ESPN research, it was Young’s seventh career 20-point, 10-assist game against the Knicks, which is the most by any player against New York since Young entered the league.

Trae Young loves playing the Knicks, and he stoked the fire of the rivalry following the game, “I hope these New York fans find their way to the exit real real quickly,” he said. “Boo, take y’all asses home.”

https://twitter.com/danfavale/status/1854359052286902371

This beef dates back to the 2021 playoffs when Trae Young put on a show at Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks had finally made it back to the postseason, the first time since 2013, and New York was buzzing, but Young came to town and ripped their hearts out.

In the first playoff series of his career, Young averaged over 29 points and nearly 10 assists in five games, including three 30+ point performances in New York, capping it off with a 36-point Game 5 and a bow on MSG’s center court.

20,000+ Knicks fans went silent and have hated Trae Young ever since. This has become one of the best rivalries between a single player and a fanbase in the sport, and it will only intensify after Young’s words last night.

Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire

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