Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young was ejected in the fourth quarter of Tuesday night’s play-in game against the Orlando Magic after he picked up two technical fouls in quick succession.
The game was essentially out of reach when Young received his first tech after he made an impressive floater with 4:48 to go in the fourth quarter, cutting the Hawks’ deficit to 20 points.
He quickly fired the ball toward crew chief James Williams, who apparently didn’t take kindly to the move. He T’d Young up immediately. Williams then bounced the ball down the court toward the Magic’s end, but Young stepped in and lightly knocked the ball out of bounds with his feet then kept it away from another ref. He received a second technical foul for the act, drawing an automatic ejection.
The Hawks lost 120-95 and will have to defeat the winner of Wednesday’s Heat-Bulls game to make the playoffs as the No. 8 seed. That game will take place in Atlanta on Friday. The winner will play the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.
The Magic secured the No. 7 seed in the East with the win and will face the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics in the first round.
Why Trae Young was ejected
Williams said Young received his second technical foul ‘for kicking the ball away and making a mockery of the game as we were attempting to shoot the free throw for the first technical foul.’
Trae Young Play-In Tournament stats
Young finished with a team-high 28 points on 8-for-21 shooting, including a 1-for-5 mark from 3. He did hit 11 of his 12 free throws and added six assists.
This story has been updated with new information.