In a thrilling NBA Cup quarterfinal match last night, Trae Young once again proved why he’s a force to be reckoned with at Madison Square Garden. Leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 108-100 victory over the New York Knicks, Young delivered an all-around performance that left fans in awe.
Young, who has a history of memorable performances at the Garden, didn’t disappoint this time either. He scored 22 points, dished out 11 assists, and grabbed 5 rebounds, showcasing his incredible playmaking and scoring abilities. His standout moment came in the third quarter when he scored eight consecutive points, including two back-to-back three-pointers, to give the Hawks the lead.
The Knicks had controlled the game for most of the first half, leading by as much as 12 points. However, the Hawks turned things around in the second half with a dominant defensive effort and a relentless offensive push. Young’s leadership was instrumental in this turnaround, as he orchestrated the Hawks’ comeback and kept the pressure on the Knicks.
As the final seconds ticked away, Young knelt down on the Knicks’ center-court logo and pretended to roll dice, a nod to the upcoming semifinals in Las Vegas. As you can imagine, the internet reacted accordingly.
“I rolled an 8, picked it up, rolled it again, picked up the money & we left”
–– Trae Young on rolling dice on the Knicks logo at the end of the game as Hawks advance to Vegas pic.twitter.com/Tjm041q4ss
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 12, 2024
Trae Young in MSG pic.twitter.com/AuVJZvxgQ5
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) December 12, 2024
See y’all soon pic.twitter.com/38F32CZjD1
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 11, 2024
“Who is Trae Young?”
Knicks:
pic.twitter.com/rqvrLx4f5t— PrizePicks (@PrizePicks) December 12, 2024
Trae Young really owns the Knicks 😭 pic.twitter.com/Dcejud6A4H
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) December 12, 2024
Trae Young really is the king of New York 😭 pic.twitter.com/aYfKFIAEnS
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) December 12, 2024
Trae Young after the chants begin https://t.co/AcKyauA9F7 pic.twitter.com/t51wBC5sbI
— Adnan Ikic (@SayWhichWay) December 12, 2024
I’ve deadass never seen a bigger owner in sports then Trae Young owning the Knicks 🔥 😭 pic.twitter.com/LSc45wQgKq
— Uzi (@PhillyUzi_) December 12, 2024
Young wasn’t the only standout for the Hawks. De’Andre Hunter contributed 24 points, and Jalen Johnson added 21 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists. The Hawks’ collective effort, especially on the offensive glass where they secured 22 offensive rebounds, was crucial in securing the victory.
Despite a balanced offensive effort from the Knicks, with Josh Hart leading the way with 21 points, they couldn’t overcome the Hawks’ second-half surge. Knicks’ star Jalen Brunson struggled from the field, finishing with 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting.
With this win, the Hawks advance to the semifinals where they will face the Milwaukee Bucks in Las Vegas. Young’s performance has once again solidified his reputation as a clutch player, especially in high-pressure situations at Madison Square Garden.
