Atlanta Hawks star point guard Trae Young had an unusual moment during the Play-In game against the Orlando Magic. The player, known for his ball-handling skills, was ejected for two technical fouls, which sparked controversy and debate.
Young’s frustration became evident with 4:47 remaining in the game, when he threw a forceful pass at referee James Williams, earning him his first technical foul. Seconds later, he kicked the ball and refused to hand it over to referee Pat Fraher, resulting in his second technical foul and subsequent ejection.
Trae Young received his first unsportsmanlike technical foul for throwing the ball at a game official.
James Williams, referee
Referee Williams explained that the second technical foul was due to Young “making a mockery of the game” by kicking the ball. At that moment, the Hawks were losing by 22 points and ultimately fell defeated 120-95.
After the match, Young stated that his actions were a gesture in defense of his teammates, feeling that the same level of refereeing was not being applied to them. “Sometimes, when I vent my frustration with the referees, it’s not just for me. It’s for my teammates,” said the player.
The game was marked by the number of fouls, with Orlando committing 25 personal fouls and Atlanta, 18. The Hawks shot 34 free throws, while the Magic, 27.
Hawks coach Quin Snyder acknowledged the importance of Young staying calm and assured that the player had already addressed the situation with the team. Young led the scoring with 28 points.
The Hawks will face the winner of the game between the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat on Friday to define the eighth seed of the Eastern Conference.
