The 2022-23 NBA regular season has finally concluded and fans are excited for the postseason. Some teams who were written off at the start of the season have a chance to crawl into the playoffs via the play-in tournament. Although there are some games still left to be played in the play-in tournament, two cracking games on Tuesday have surely excited fans for the playoffs. Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks are one of the two teams that have gotten the better of their opponents on their way to the playoffs.
Naturally, Young couldn’t help but throw shade at his opponents which sparked a heated reaction on Twitter. Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks weren’t really the favorites to go on to the playoffs. Hence, many including their opponents didn’t have kind words for the Atlanta side. However, while Young had the last laugh at the end of the game, he ensured that he rubbed salt into the wounds of his opponents, especially Jimmy Butler.
Trae Young reacts to Jimmy Butler’s comments after the play-in game
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Miami Heat convincingly on the first day of the play-in tournament, securing their spot in the playoffs. The comprehensive win by Trae Young and Co. came as a surprise to many, including Charles Barkley, who was ready to bet a lot of money on the Heat facing the Boston Celtics in the playoffs.
Jimmy Butler is calling a Heat ‘dub’ tomorrow
“I’m gonna do whatever it takes for my team to win — night in and night out, and honestly, I couldn’t care less what anybody writes, if I’m a good basketball player or a bad basketball player. So as I take on tomorrow’s matchup, and… pic.twitter.com/6dJdfVaVPv
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 10, 2023
However, Barkley wasn’t the only one confident or in this case, overconfident about the Heat’s playoff future. Before the game, the Heat veteran Jimmy Butler declared how he was pretty confident about himself and the team on getting “that dub” against the Hawks. Something that Young found disrespectful. Hence, in the post-game press conference, Young decided to clap back at Butler with some trash-talking off the court.
Trae Young:
“I know Jimmy guaranteed a dub, so I was really focused on making sure that didn’t happen.”
(h/t @ClutchPointsApp)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 12, 2023
?I know Jimmy[Butler] guaranteed a dub so I was really focused on making sure that didn?t happen,? said the 24-year-old in the post-game press conference.
While some Hawks’ fans were genuinely excited with the two-time All-Star’s response, others found it as an opportunistic attempt to taunt Butler after the game was over. The fans were in a frenzy, with many debating whether Young’s comments were cocky given the circumstances.
Fans react to ‘shots fired’ by Trae Young
Many in the NBA community had written off the Atlanta Hawks. However, the Hawks’ dominated from the first quarter itself silencing all the critics. Subsequently ending the match with an 11-point difference. Although Young had a great performance in the game, some weren’t quite pleased with his post-game press conference.
Here are the reactions.
https://twitter.com/ElQuemador_/status/1645993104665894912?s=20
Cares Boston in 4
— 🦅 (@YoGirlFriendFav) April 12, 2023
Why does he stop sucking every time playoffs hit
— Socialist Bucks (@socialistbucks) April 12, 2023
Some thought that Trae Young’s celebration was premature, considering the Atlanta Hawks will be facing one of the best teams of the season in the playoffs, the Boston Celtics. However, others couldn’t deny that Young was a serious dominating part of the Hawks’ win against the Heat.
https://twitter.com/BigDeuceV2/status/1645991656120889346?s=20
Bro has glasses on for getting out of the PLAY IN please be serious
— Fukiyo (@Lolzd17) April 12, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Playoff Jimmy is a fraud
— Troy (@mrburnerking) April 12, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Although Young had the upper hand in this exchange, Butler may be hoping for the Hawks’ success in the playoffs, along with his own team. It could be the only way that the duo meets each other again this season.
Watch This Story: Trae Young?s bow, Larry Bird?s steal, and other iconic NBA playoff moments?