Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young had one of his most frustrating performances of the season Tuesday night – and not just because of the scoreboard. In a blowout 120-95 loss to the Orlando Magic during the NBA Play-In Tournament, Young‘s emotions boiled over in dramatic fashion, leading to a technical foul and a moment that left fans stunned.
The night started off poorly for Young and never quite recovered. He went scoreless in the first quarter, missing all five of his shot attempts.
The Magic jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, dominating on both ends of the floor. While Young did eventually find some offensive rhythm and finished with 28 points, six assists, and one steal, his late-game meltdown overshadowed much of his production.
Down by 20 in the fourth quarter, Young attempted to spark some energy by pulling off a slick nutmeg – dribbling the ball through the legs of a Magic defender.
But that flashy move quickly turned into frustration. Moments later, he launched a chest pass directly at a referee, prompting an immediate technical foul.
Then, he was seen mocking the officials, faking passes at them and voicing his displeasure with animated outbursts.
Hawks’ playoff hopes hinge on one final shot
With the loss, Atlanta’s path to the postseason has narrowed significantly. The team will now face the winner of the Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls play-in game, in a do-or-die scenario for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The question now is whether Young will even be available for that game. His actions could very well lead to a fine, or worse, a suspension from the league office.
Beyond the disciplinary questions, Tuesday’s display raises deeper concerns for the Hawks. Young, who averaged 24.2 points and an impressive 11.6 assists per game during the regular season, has long been seen as the franchise cornerstone.
But Tuesday’s loss, and the emotional unraveling that came with it, reignited debates about his maturity, leadership, and overall fit as the face of Atlanta’s future.
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