In the waning moments of Game 5 of their first-round series against the Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young was not feeling the love of fans in TD Garden. As Young led the Hawks to a comeback victory, fans filled the arena with an R-rated chant aimed at him.
As Young stood on the free throw line with less than two minutes remaining, TD Garden serenaded him with chants of “F—Trae Young.” That’s not new to Young, who heard the same chants at Madison Square Garden during the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
Young was asked about the chants at his post-game press conference, and he noted that Celtics fans waited a little longer to boo him than Knicks fans. Young also said he sees it as a sign of “respect” from opponents.
“It didn’t feel like the Knicks series,” Young said. “In the Knicks series, it started after 10 minutes in the first quarter. It was very different from tonight. When people do that, I think that’s just total respect. They don’t do that to everyone. You know what I’m saying I?”
Young scored the final 13 points of the game for Atlanta, and he drilled a 30-foot three-point shot with just over two seconds left to put the Hawks ahead. He finished the game with 38 points and 13 assists as he kept Atlanta alive in the series.
The Hawks and Celtics play Game 6 on Thursday night, and Young can expect a warmer welcome for the home fans at State Farm Arena.