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Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young said a fan attempting to spit on him during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden was “uncalled for” and “disgusting.”
Speaking to ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth before tipoff of Game 3 against the New York Knicks on Friday, Young said he has no problem with fans booing him or chanting at him but that a line was crossed.
On Thursday, the Knicks announced they investigated the spitting incident and banned the fan responsible from attending games at MSG indefinitely.
The incident was one of three instances across the NBA on Wednesday night that ended with fans banned from arenas.
In Philadelphia, a season-ticket holder had his seats revoked and was indefinitely banned after dumping popcorn on an injured Russell Westbrook as he went back to the locker room against the 76ers. Later in Utah, the Jazz ejected and banned three fans who shouted racist obscenities at the parents of Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant.
“For me as a player, I come out and do my job and play and I have no problem with the fans and what they’ve been saying,” Young said Friday. “That’s a part of it. It’s basketball and I enjoy it and I love it. I’m not mad at fans who chant things. Spitting and things like that, that’s uncalled for in any arena.”
The increase in obscene fan behavior led to the NBA releasing a statement condemning the recent acts and reiterating its commitment to the league’s code of fan conduct policies.
Young said he’s ready to move on from the incident, but the NBA will be paying close attention to fan conduct throughout the remainder of the postseason.
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