Trae Young Rubbed It in Knicks Fans’ Faces on the Way Out of New York

In Thursday’s Hot Clicks: Trae Young’s message for Knicks fans, a despicable hit in the NHL playoffs and more.

He’s already a Hall of Fame NBA troll

It’s a shame the Knicks–Hawks series finished so quickly, because Trae Young was clearly enjoying his role as the most hated man in New York.

Shushing the crowd after his game-winner in the first game of the series instantly turned Young into a New York villain. The Knicks denied Young an opportunity to immediately stunt on them again by winning Game 2, but after the Hawks won both games in Atlanta, Young was back in the Garden on Wednesday night with a chance to send the Knicks packing.

Young was his typical self in the Hawks’ blowout win, scoring a game-high 36 points, and he was cocky as hell all night long.

After Nerlens Noel purposely bumped into Young as they headed off the court at halftime, Young confidently shrugged, adjusted his jersey and kept it moving.

He also mixed it up with the fans. When one started talking trash, Young said, “Are you gonna spit on me next?” and flashed a wry smile.

While shooting free throws late in the fourth, Young winked at somebody in the stands, and the TV cameras caught a guy with his arms outstretched asking, “You want a piece of me?”

Young’s ultimate troll move came in the closing seconds, when Knicks fans rose to their feet to give their team a standing ovation in recognition of an unexpectedly successful season. Young drained a three from the logo during the ovation and bowed to the crowd as if the cheers were for him.

TRAE YOUNG TAKES A BOW IN MSG AFTER ELIMINATING KNICKS. 🍿👀 pic.twitter.com/L6i5A0S65H

— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) June 3, 2021

His line when asked about the bow after the game was equally brilliant trolling.

“I know where we are,” Young said. “I know it’s a bunch of shows around this city. And I know what they do when the show is over.”

The show is over for now, but there better be plenty of encores to come. Young used one shot to become the most despised basketball player in New York. Hopefully Knicks fans’ disdain for him carries over into future seasons, because the NBA is better when there are intense rivalries. 

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Mark Scheifele should have a long, long suspension coming after this disgusting hit

Luka Dončić had 42 to push the Clippers to the brink

Impressive, but honestly, how many guys have had the opportunity to play three playoff games in the Garden?

Trae Young joins Michael Jordan as the only visiting players with 3 straight 30-point games at Madison Square Garden in the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/GAXjwMplNF

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 3, 2021

How cute

one kiss is all it takes. pic.twitter.com/zp5L620crv

— Cut4 (@Cut4) June 3, 2021

Roy Williams’s reaction to the Coach K news

BREAKING for @FO_Sports: Initial comments from former UNC basketball coach Roy Williams on Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski retiring after the 2021-22 season pic.twitter.com/4icSMhAczn

— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) June 2, 2021

Important clarification

AJ Dillon clarifies one of his legs is named Quadzilla and the other is named The Quadfather. He's adamant his legs are bigger than the other backs in the league.

— Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) June 2, 2021

I’d say it’s more like suspending Bill Belichick

Full release here on the suspension of two-time Triple Crown winner Bob Baffert. To be clear, this is like suspending Mike Krzyzewski for two years. Or Nick Saban. And so forth. https://t.co/SmElsOKurX

— Dana O'Neil (@DanaONeilWriter) June 2, 2021

Not sports

Costco is bringing back free samples for the first time since the start of the pandemic. 

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Not for me

A good song

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