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Trae Young · It might’ve been difficult to hear over the boos of Madison Square Garden’s once-optimistic crowd. But, as he stood at centercourt, knowing Las Vegas would be his next destination, Trae Young’s message — as it was in 2021 — was unmissable: in high-stakes games against the New York Knicks, the dice will often roll in his favor. Studying the scene before attacking the evening’s most critical possession, Young slithers his way through a well-fitting pick-and-roll, prepared to deliver a “snake eyes” at the expense of the Knicks’ defense. Having manipulated New York’s coverage expertly enough to dole out an alley-oop pass, the three-time All-Star lets a lob attempt fly, finding his high-rising teammate for an emphatic, game-clinching connection. In a performance that was somewhat reminiscent to the Eastern Conference First Round series some four seasons prior, Young tallied 22 points, five rebounds, 11 assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers, conquering the blue-and-orange on December 11, 2024. The performance stamped the Atlanta Hawks’ ticket in the Emirates NBA Cup Semifinal round just three days later. · State of Mint