In a tense game at New York’s Madison Square Garden, the Hawks ended this year’s surprising run of the New York Knicks by defeating them 103-89 and finishing the tie 4-1.
Trae Young, who has completed an overwhelming first round of the playoffs of his career, closed the crossing with another display of 36 points, his so far postseason record, and 9 assists.
The 22-year-old guard appears to have started a long-lasting animosity with the Madison crowd, with whom he constantly interacted again on Wednesday.
After being spat on by a fan in the last game in New York, Young pretended to do the same on the court at a point in the game where he was constantly booed.
The Hawks’ figure closed the first episode of this new rivalry with a bow to the public after nailing a spectacular long three-pointer in the last minute.
I know where we are. I know there are a lot of shows in this city. And I know what they do when the show is over. That’s more or less what happened, “Young said of his exchange with the public.
For the Knicks, his figure Julius Randle finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds but again showed the lack of effectiveness that has weighed down his team throughout the series (8/21 in shooting from the field).
The Knicks offense once again lacked ideas and ended up frustrating its fans, including one of its most iconic, filmmaker Spike Lee, who left his courtside seat minutes before the end.
The Hawks return to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2016 as the Knicks end their first – and unexpected – postseason run since 2013. (GG) (AFP)