Madison Square Garden Has A Reluctant New Villain
Defector • • sports
Key Points:
- During the New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks playoff series, Knicks fans revived the chant "Fuck Trae Young!" despite Young now playing for the Washington Wizards, reflecting lingering animosity from past playoff encounters.
- By Game 2, fans shifted their focus to CJ McCollum, newly traded to the Hawks and largely forgotten until this series, chanting "Fuck you CJ!" after his standout performance.
- McCollum led the Hawks with a game-high 32 points, including a clutch scoring run in the final minutes that secured a 107-106 victory over the Knicks, despite some missed free throws near the end.
- Known for his steady and understated play, McCollum surprised many with his postseason prowess, reminding fans of his previous high-scoring playoff performances and solidifying his reputation as a reliable postseason contributor.
- Postgame, McCollum downplayed his villain role, emphasizing his family life and acknowledging the need to improve his free-throw shooting, while the Knicks' defensive strategy to isolate him against their weaker defender, Jalen Brunson, backfired.
