Trae Young Ejected For ‘Making A Mockery Of The Game,’ Hawks Lose to Magic in Play-In

A pump fake is supposed to be utilized to create an opportunity on offense or to make a shot easier for yourself. They’re certainly not supposed to be used on referees. The NBA said, “he was making a mockery of the game.”

Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young was ejected late in the Hawks’ play-in game against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday. Following a made basket by Young, he rocketed a pass toward referee James Williams, leading to his first technical of the night. He followed up his rocketed pass by kicking the ball, pump faking Williams and refusing to give him the ball.

That action led to his second technical and likely a fine.

Frustrations boiled over for Young, as the Hawks fell 120-95. The Magic controlled the game throughout, never losing the lead after the first quarter. A run by the Hawks cut the lead down to three late in the third, only for the Magic to respond with a dominant fourth quarter.

Young finished with 28 points on 8-21 shooting and six assists. He was the Hawks’ leading scorer.

When asked about his actions, Young was clear on why his emotions boiled over.

“Sometimes when I take my frustration out on the refs, it’s not just for me,” Young said. “If you see a foul, you should call a foul. That’s pretty much all it was for me.”

With the loss to the Magic, the Hawks will play the winner of the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat on Friday. The Hawks need to win that game to stay in the playoffs.

The Magic will play the defending champion Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, where the Celtics will be heavy favorites.