The Boston Celtics took down the Atlanta Hawks 109-102 in their latest matchup on Friday, March 27, at TD Garden.
But the game also grabbed attention for a sharp on-air jab at former Hawks guard Trae Young. The comment quickly went viral after being shared online.
Boston Celtics Broadcast Takes Harsh Swipe at Trae Young
During the broadcast of the Celtics vs. Hawks game, Boston’s commentary team made a blunt remark about Young’s defense. The moment was later shared by BrickCenter on X on Friday, March 27.
The viral quote read: “The vibes are immaculate in Atlanta… They play defense and pass the ball… All things that Trae Young doesn’t do.”
The timing of the comment stood out. The Hawks had just suffered their 33rd loss of the season after the Celtics snapped their three-game winning streak. The statement quickly caught attention online, especially given Young’s long history with Atlanta.
The four-time NBA All-Star spent over seven years with the Hawks. During that time, he became the face of the franchise and handled most of the team’s scoring and playmaking duties. He was known for his scoring, elite passing, and ability to draw fouls and get to the free-throw line.
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However, his final season with Atlanta did not go well. The Hawks chose not to offer him a contract extension. Injuries also became a major concern. Young missed 22 games due to knee issues and played only 10 games for the Hawks this season because of knee and quad problems.
On Jan. 9, 2026, Young was officially traded to the Washington Wizards in a major deal. The Hawks received CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert in return. Reports suggested that Washington was the only team interested in acquiring Young at that time.
Since the trade, Young has struggled to stay on the court. He has appeared in just 5 games for the Wizards. As of March 21, 2026, he is out indefinitely due to a re-aggravated right quad contusion along with new lower-back irritation. His last game came on March 16 against the Golden State Warriors.
Despite his offensive skills, Young’s defense has often been criticized. He is frequently labeled as one of the weakest defenders in the league, with some even calling him a “traffic cone” or “turnstile” on that end of the floor.
In his limited appearances for the Wizards, Young has averaged 15.2 points, 3 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. He has also recorded 0.6 steals and 0.2 blocks while shooting 59.5% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range.
Even with efficient scoring numbers, the Celtics broadcast comment highlights how his defensive reputation continues to follow him, even after his move away from Atlanta.
