Hawks Triumph Over Knicks To Reach NBA Cup Semifinals In Las Vegas

Add as a preferred source on Google

Trae Young's celebration after Atlanta secured a spot in the NBA Cup semifinals upset the New York Knicks, but Jalen Brunson didn't hold it against him. Young scored 22 points and provided 11 assists as the Hawks won 108-100 at Madison Square Garden. This victory advanced them to the semifinals in Las Vegas. The Knicks led for most of the game until Young's eight-point burst, including consecutive three-pointers, shifted momentum.

Young has a history of provoking the Knicks on their home court. Previously, he stood on their logo and waved to fans after eliminating them from the 2021 playoffs. This time, he knelt on the same spot and mimicked rolling dice to celebrate reaching Saturday's semifinals in Las Vegas. "We're going to Vegas, so that's what I had to," Young explained. He mentioned planning this celebration with his brother days earlier.

Despite Young's antics, Brunson acknowledged that if they wanted to avoid such celebrations, they needed to win. Atlanta is set to face the Milwaukee Bucks next for a chance at the NBA Cup title game. Center Clint Capela expressed optimism about their potential, stating, "That's where you take a team's soul, and we felt like we did that tonight."

Capela believes this performance demonstrates their ability to be exceptional when they can halt multiple possessions effectively. He noted improvements in their rhythm and growing confidence among new players.

Knicks' Next Steps

While the Hawks aim for their first trophy since winning the Southeast Division title in 2021, the Knicks are preparing for regular-season play against Orlando Magic on Saturday. The Knicks currently hold a 15-10 record as they continue their season journey.

The article concludes by highlighting both teams' upcoming challenges and aspirations without speculating beyond presented facts.