Back during the 2021 NBA playoffs, the Atlanta Hawks made one of the more surprising postseason runs in recent memory. Led by Trae Young, the Hawks eliminated the Knicks and upset the top-seeded Sixers before ultimately falling in six games against the Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Young, though, is convinced that the series — and subsequent NBA Finals against the Suns — would have played out differently if he never suffered a fluke injury from stepping on an official’s foot in Game 3.
Speaking on his From the Point podcast, Young said that the injury still haunts him because he was certain the Hawks would have won the title with him healthy.
Trae explains why Hawks would've won the title if he didn't get hurt in 2021 ECF 👀
(via From the Point with @TheTraeYoung) pic.twitter.com/V5GHW3bi4Z
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 12, 2023
After Young’s injury in that game, the Bucks rallied in the fourth quarter to win, 113-102, and take a 2-1 lead in the series. And while it’s easy to roast Young for the take, it’s important to remember that the Bucks would have been without Giannis Antetokounmpo in this scenario as he also suffered an injury that kept him out until the NBA Finals. Young was also playing at an incredible level in that postseason.
Yet, in the two seasons since that playoff run, the Hawks — even with a healthy Young — have been unable to advance beyond the first round (they made the playoffs from the Play-In Tournament both seasons). Young admitted trying to resist the notion that the Hawks already had their chance.
NBA fans also had thoughts on Young’s comments.
This was how Twitter reacted
Giannis knee bent backwards and bro talking about “if I never got hurt” how about don’t let Brook lopez drop 33 points in a pivotal game 5 for a team missing their 2x MVP lmao https://t.co/zpSCFDzvIL
— DT (@GianniGoat) December 12, 2023
If anyone didn’t believe The Hawks were going to beat The Bucks that year. You my friend are hella delusional. And going against Phoenix in the Finals. That would have been a very even matchup. That The Hawks could have won. https://t.co/TjNXHhLIe2
— Rogers.Den (@Stillncrj1) December 13, 2023
Athletes and the word if https://t.co/OtDMj1gqLM pic.twitter.com/wVcd07XOJa
— Bruhtonium the ll (@Newfazegregpaul) December 13, 2023
It’s certainly possible. The Nets, Warriors, and Lakers being decimated left the championship wide open. That Bucks-Suns finals was probably the weakest two teams in memory. https://t.co/1kOSspbWZX
— Spud 🏀 (@spudbball) December 13, 2023
As crazy as this statement sounds in 2023, man didn’t tell one lie here 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣 https://t.co/qXS2SjrVqV
— Armchair Hawks (@ArmchairHawks) December 13, 2023
With how hot we were, I truly believe we could’ve very well won https://t.co/R3kYy7iES2
— dj hefner (@tgojay) December 13, 2023
give them the what if o'brien trophy https://t.co/vtHXOHN2qA
— ben (@52ndstreets) December 12, 2023
They dont even beat the Suns if we being real https://t.co/jtHDBL8EQi
— KDGYT 🧀🦌 (@Official414) December 12, 2023
We would have swept them. https://t.co/xQwqrPNXMw
— 𝘋𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘺 ☀️ | 𝘒𝘋 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘴𝘵 (@39unbothered) December 13, 2023
