Trae Young's second half blitz steers Hawks into NBA playoffs

By Jack Bantock, CNN

Updated 1105 GMT (1905 HKT) April 16, 2022

Trae Young reacts during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

(CNN)An explosive second-half performance from Trae Young steered the Atlanta Hawks past the Cleveland Cavaliers, 107-101, and into the NBA playoffs on Friday.

Having blown away the Charlotte Hornets in their first play-in game on Wednesday, the Hawks' victory over the Cavaliers saw them clinch the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and punch their ticket to face the top-seeded Miami Heat on Sunday.With six points in the first half, Young's slow start reflected that of his team, who trailed 61-51 at the halfway mark. Jeered from the outset by a raucous Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse crowd, Young had the last laugh and then some after exploding for 32 points in the second half, his game-high 38-point haul complemented by nine assists and three rebounds. Bogdan Bogdanovic added 19 points from the bench, while Lauri Markkanen led scoring for the Cavaliers with 26. Read MoreYoung shoots during the game.Only the second player in NBA history to lead the league in total regular season points and assists, as well as setting a new franchise record for 233 three-pointers, Young's play-in heroics continue a stellar year for the 23-year-old.It is perhaps no wonder then that he has attained public enemy number one status on a number of road trips, but Young seems more than happy to play the villain.Los Angeles Lakers: Questionable trades, injuries and a falling star… what went wrong with NBA teamAt the end of the game, Young turned and waved to the Cleveland home crowd, before later tweeting a picture of the moment with the caption «Let. Em. Know.»Asked about the hostile reception he