Hawks Eliminated After Young's Ejection, Magic Advance

Trae Young was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct during the Atlanta Hawks' 120-95 Play-In Tournament loss to the Orlando Magic, after throwing the ball at an official and mocking referees. Despite scoring 28 points, Young's actions raised concerns about his leadership in high-pressure situations. After the game, both Young and head coach Quin Snyder emphasized the need for better composure, with Young promising to maintain control in the next game. In the following Play-In matchup against the Miami Heat, Young had 29 points and 11 assists, but the Hawks lost 123-114 in overtime and were eliminated from playoff contention. The Hawks' season was further complicated by Young's career-low shooting efficiency, persistent Achilles issues, and other team injuries, fueling trade speculation about his future. The Magic advanced to face the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.