Washington Wizards guard Trae Young issued a pointed warning to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani after the mayor blamed him for expensive Knicks playoff tickets, despite Young no longer playing for the Atlanta Hawks. The exchange reignites a five-year rivalry that saw Young embarrass New York in the 2021 playoffs.

Mayor Takes Shot at Wrong Team’s Player

Mamdani joked at a news conference that he blames Young for the high cost of Knicks playoff tickets as New York prepares to face Atlanta in the first round. The mayor apparently missed that Young was traded to Washington in January. When asked why Knicks tickets cost significantly more than Hawks tickets, Mamdani quipped that he blames Young and thinks it’s always important to blame the guard who tormented New York five years ago.

Young caught wind of the comments and responded on social media with a direct message to the mayor. The Wizards guard posted a reminder about what happened the last time a New York mayor mentioned his name during playoff time, adding a warning not to blame him when it happens again. His post included laughing and waving emojis, suggesting confidence despite not being involved in the upcoming series.

History Repeats Itself

This marks the second time a New York City mayor has publicly criticized Young during playoffs. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio told Young to stop hunting for fouls during the 2021 first-round matchup between the Knicks and Hawks. Atlanta dominated that series, defeating the fourth-seeded Knicks in five games as the fifth seed. Young’s performance throughout that playoff run became legendary in Atlanta and infamous in New York, making him a villain at Madison Square Garden.

Playoff Stakes and Ticket Prices

The upcoming series features the third-seeded Knicks hosting the sixth-seeded Hawks at Madison Square Garden starting Saturday at 6 p.m. Eastern Time. Mamdani expressed hope for a Knicks championship run this season while acknowledging his wish that playoff tickets were more affordable for New York fans. The mayor’s confidence appears undeterred by Young’s social media response, though history suggests mayoral comments about the guard may carry unintended consequences for the home team.