Trae Young Makes Honest Statement Before Hawks-Knicks Game

Trae Young met with the media before Wednesday's game.

Mar 22, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) gestures towards the crowd during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

On Wednesday evening, the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks will face off at Madison Square Garden in the NBA Cup.

Trae Young met with reporters after practice (on Monday).

The superstar point guard made an honest statement (h/t Jameelah Johnson of atlhawksfans.com).

Johnson: "How fun has it been for you to kind of lean into that villain role against the New York fans?"

Young: "I don't like being a villain. I don't like being that way or that target, but if that's what it needs to be, that's what it's gotta be. That's not like who I want to be or who I am in any way. I don't think I turn myself into a villain; I feel like people turn me into a villain."

Earlier today, I asked Hawks’ Trae Young how fun it’s been to lean into the “villain” role against Knicks fans.

“It’s cool. I don’t like being a villain. I don’t like being that way…I don’t think I turned myself into a villain, I feel like people turned me into a villain.” pic.twitter.com/jTR3nWGI9c

— JJ (@JameelahJNBA) December 9, 2024

Young and the Hawks faced off against the Knicks in the first round of the 2021 NBA playoffs.

The former Oklahoma star led the Hawks to a series victory in just five games.

They then went on to reach the 2021 Eastern Conference finals.

Trae after telling the Knicks "We'll see you in the A" 👀

🔴 21 Pts, 14 Ast, Game 3 W
🔴 Hawks lead 2-1 pic.twitter.com/rRzWzcSKs7

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 29, 2021

Currently, Young is averaging 20.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 12.2 assists and 1.3 steals per contest while shooting 38.5% from the field and 31.0% from the three-point range in 24 games.

The Hawks are 13-12 in 25 games, which has them as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.

They have gone 6-4 over their last ten.

"Hope these NY fans find their way to the exit real real quick... boo take y'all ass home" 😂😅

Trae talking smack to Knicks fans after dropping 23 PTS 10 AST and getting the W 👀 pic.twitter.com/jt2hUQqKX8

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 7, 2024

As for New York, they will enter the NBA Cup showdown with a 15-9 record in 24 games, which has them as the fourth seed in the east.