The Knicks have banned a spectator from Madison Square Garden after the fan spit on Hawks player Trae Young on Wednesday night.
The team on Thursday released a statement on Twitter apologizing for the "completely unacceptable" behavior demonstrated by the fan.
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 27, 2021
The spitting incident came into focus after a video was posted on social media that apparently caught the spit flying out of the crowd to hit Young.
Did a Knicks fan spit on Trae Young? 😬
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) May 27, 2021
(@jamosramos4 ) pic.twitter.com/iOm44o0rgG
New York's action was certainly swift and decisive, so Young and the Hawks have to appreciate it. That should ensure that no over-the-line actions like this occur again.
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In fact, Young was willing to laugh the incident off, and even asked 50 Cent, who was sitting courtside, whether he was "good" after the spit came flying in.
Damn... Crazy ! @50cent y’all good?!
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) May 27, 2021
😂😂😂 https://t.co/p8jSbwyozT
Of course, the Knicks faithful will continue to boo Young relentlessly after he made a last-second shot to beat New York at home in Game 1 and proceeded to shout a message to the Garden crowd. Young has embraced playing the villain role, and after being called out by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, he put forth a great effort for the Hawks (30 points, seven assists) in their Game 2 loss.
Young being spat on wasn't the only ugly incident between an NBA player and a fan Wednesday night. A 76ers fan poured popcorn on Russell Westbrook as he went to the locker room with an injury. Westbrook was irate and the fan was ejected from the game.
