Shaquille O’Neal Turns Into ‘Money Hawk’ As Trae Young ICES Game 5, Forces Game 6 Against Celtics

The Atlanta Hawks made their way to Boston and took on the 2022 NBA Finalists for Game 5 tonight. After failing to defend their homecourt in Game 4, Trae Young and co. entered the TD Garden down 3-1 with a ‘win or go-home’ game on their hands. The game was being broadcasted on TNT, and no one was a louder supporter than Shaquille O’Neal.

Trae Young caught fire in the 4th quarter, scoring 16 of his 38 points in the final frame. He scored the final 14 points for the Hawks, leading them to a 119-117 win.

Young made three huge 3s, including the go-ahead triple, which gave the Hawks the 2-point lead to seal the game. The show he put on was greeted with ‘f*** Trae Young‘ chants in the Garden. However, things were totally different in Studio J.

Shaquille O’Neal becomes ‘Money Hawk’ after Trae Young’s showing

While many assumed the Boston Celtics would overpower the Atlanta Hawks easily, there was one person rooting for them. It was none other than Shaquille O’Neal. The NBA legend has been a huge supporter of Trae Young and the team, and was betting on them every single game.

While he turned out to be wrong in Game 4, Shaq did not give up. He backed the Hawks to win Game 5 at Boston, and they did just that. To celebrate the win, we saw Shaq donning feathers made with money, becoming ‘Money Hawk.’

.@SHAQ AFTER HE GUARANTEED A HAWKS WIN 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/acla4y8hKr

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 26, 2023

This drew a big reaction from the Inside crew, who were also pumped after watching the incredible showing.

Trae Young responds to the ‘f*** you’ chants

Trae Young is someone who is used to being the villain. He was ostracized in New York. The same happened to him tonight in Boston. When he took over the game, the crowd did not like it, and started the ‘F**k Trae Young’ chant.

Young said he sees it as sign of respect, and said,

“When people do that, I think it’s just total respect. I mean, they don’t do that to everybody.”

“When people do that, I think it’s just total respect. I mean, they don’t do that to everybody.”@TheTraeYoung in response to chants from the Celtics crowd pic.twitter.com/ohlQqxAQLl

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 26, 2023

With the series heading to ATL for Game 6, we can see Shaq cheering for them even harder.