NEW YORK — As the clock wound down on Wednesday night, Trae Young made a playful gesture at the center of Madison Square Garden, leaning down to the New York Knicks’ logo as if he were rolling dice. “We’re going to Vegas,” quipped the Atlanta guard, highlighting a triumphant moment for him and the Hawks this season.

Young’s performance, showcasing 22 points and 11 assists, propelled the Hawks to a 108-100 win in the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup, marking their advancement to Las Vegas where they will face the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.

The atmosphere in Madison Square Garden felt familiar, reminiscent of the 2021 playoffs when Young became a notorious figure among Knicks fans. That year, the Knicks made their first postseason appearance in eight years, only to confront the Hawks in a memorable first-round matchup. Knicks supporters directed intense verbal taunts at him, even poking fun at his hairstyle, but Young ultimately silenced them dazzlingly.

In a pivotal moment of that series, he hit a last-second shot to secure a 107-105 win in Game 1 and further enthralled fans in Game 5 with a remarkable 36-point performance, taking a theatrical bow as the Hawks clinched the series.

While bowing has been a highlight of Young’s celebrations before, this game saw him debut a new celebratory move. “I planned that one with my little brother a few days ago,” Young shared, explaining that he had decided on the dice roll in advance.

This time around, the crowd seemed quieter until the latter stages of the game. Although the Knicks maintained control in the first half, even holding a 12-point lead at one moment, the tide shifted dramatically in the third quarter.

Young, who leads the NBA in assists, made pivotal contributions during this comeback, scoring eight consecutive points at one point and hitting a remarkable 31-footer followed by another three-pointer, delighting his supporters.

“There was a point in the game when he could feel the game,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder commented on Young’s influence as momentum swung in Atlanta’s favor.

The Hawks outscored the Knicks by 61-46 through the second half, establishing such dominance that numerous fans left their seats before the game concluded. Those who remained vocalized their displeasure by booing Young during his celebration.

“We should win the game if we don’t want him to do that,” Knicks guard Jalen Brunson remarked, acknowledging the need for a stronger performance against the formidable Atlanta team.