Atlanta Hawks star guard Trae Young's frustration reached a breaking point during the play-in game against the Orlando Magic, leading to his ejection with 4:47 remaining. Young received two technical fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct, including throwing the ball at a referee and kicking it away, resulting in his dismissal from the game. The Hawks ultimately lost 120-95, with Young expressing his actions were in defense of his teammates and frustration over perceived unfair officiating.
Despite leading all scorers with 28 points, Young's ejection overshadowed the game where the Hawks felt disadvantaged by the officiating. Orlando's victory secured them the No. 7 seed and a first-round matchup against the Boston Celtics, while the Hawks will face either the Chicago Bulls or the Miami Heat to determine the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Looking ahead, Young acknowledged the need to maintain composure in crucial upcoming games to avoid similar instances of frustration towards referees.