The feud between Trae Young and New York Knicks fans reached new heights on Wednesday night, as the Atlanta Hawks star led his team to a 121-116 victory at Madison Square Garden. Young, who has been a thorn in the side of Knicks supporters since his memorable playoff performance in 2021, had a simple message for the hostile crowd after the game: “Go home.”
The 24-year-old point guard finished with an impressive stat line of 23 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds, marking his seventh career game with at least 20 points and 10 assists against the Knicks. According to a source close to the team, Young relishes the opportunity to silence the New York faithful whenever the Hawks come to town.
A Rivalry Reignited
The bad blood between Young and the Knicks dates back to the 2021 Eastern Conference playoffs, when the Hawks eliminated New York in a thrilling five-game series. Young’s stellar play and his now-infamous bow at center court after icing Game 5 etched him into the minds of Knicks fans as public enemy number one.
Since then, the animosity has only grown, with chants of “F— Trae Young” echoing through arenas even when the Hawks aren’t playing the Knicks. Speaking on a podcast in August, Young called the chants “super funny,” recalling a young girl who gave him the middle finger during a game. “I’m just looking at the reactions of all these people just flipping me off,” he said with a smile.
A Triple Threat Roast
Not content with Young’s on-court trolling, the Hawks’ social media team decided to pile on the misery for New York sports fans. In a savage post following the game, they reshared an Atlanta Falcons victory tweet that mocked the Dallas Cowboys, transforming it into a triple threat that roasted the Knicks, Cowboys, and New York Yankees all at once.
The timing of the post was particularly brutal, coming just days after the Yankees suffered a disappointing World Series defeat. Atlanta’s sports teams have clearly mastered the art of the social media burn, leaving New York fans reeling from the multi-pronged attack.
Ice Trae’s Garden Party
Despite the hostile reception he receives in New York, Young seems to thrive off the negative energy. His performances at Madison Square Garden have become the stuff of legend, with Wednesday’s outing serving as yet another example of his ability to silence the critics and come up clutch in the face of adversity.
“I hope these New York fans find their way to the exit real real quickly,” Young said in his post-game interview. “Boo, take y’all a–es home.”
– Trae Young
It’s clear that Young relishes his role as the villain in this heated rivalry, and with the Hawks set to face the Knicks again in January, the battle lines have been drawn. Will the Knicks faithful finally get their revenge, or will Ice Trae continue to freeze them out on their home court? One thing’s for sure – the bad blood between these two teams is far from over.
The Making of a Rivalry
Great sports rivalries are built on unforgettable moments, and Trae Young’s playoff heroics against the Knicks in 2021 certainly fit the bill. His series averages of 29.2 points and 9.8 assists were impressive enough, but it was his ice-cold demeanor and fearless play in hostile territory that truly set him apart.
The sight of Young bowing to the Madison Square Garden crowd after sealing the Hawks’ series victory is an image that will live long in the minds of both Atlanta and New York fans. For the Hawks faithful, it was a moment of triumph, a young star announcing his arrival on the big stage. For Knicks supporters, it was the ultimate insult, a brash upstart disrespecting their hallowed home court.
Beyond the Court
The beauty of a great sports rivalry is that it often transcends the game itself, spilling over into the realm of social media and fan culture. The Hawks’ brilliant triple roast of New York’s sports teams is a prime example of this, showing that the battle for supremacy isn’t just confined to the hardwood.
In an era where athletes and teams are increasingly savvy about building their brands and engaging with fans online, these off-court moments can be just as important as the games themselves. By tapping into the shared misery of Knicks, Yankees, and Cowboys fans, the Hawks have added another layer to an already spicy rivalry.
The Road Ahead
As the NBA season marches on, all eyes will be on the next meeting between the Hawks and Knicks. Will Trae Young continue his Madison Square Garden dominance, or will the Knicks find a way to neutralize the rising star? Can Atlanta’s social media team deliver another devastating roast, or will New York’s online army find a way to strike back?
These are the questions that will keep fans buzzing in the days and weeks to come. But one thing is certain – the Trae Young vs. Knicks rivalry is here to stay, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most entertaining storylines in the NBA. Buckle up, basketball fans, because this roller coaster ride is just getting started.
