The Knicks are staying focused on the task at hand, refusing to feed into Trae Young’s theatrics — antics that have made him a polarizing figure at Madison Square Garden. Young’s most recent display came when he rolled imaginary dice on the center-court logo after his Atlanta Hawks eliminated the Knicks from the NBA Cup quarterfinal in emphatic fashion. “It’s sort of like the nature of the league, and it’s always that way. He’s a good player, and so I think he’s authentic,” head coach Tom Thibodeau said. “We respect him, but we got to play. We’re not gonna get wrapped up in all the other stuff. That’s part of the game today, social media and all that stuff. Just focus on what we need to do to win.” For the Knicks, that focus lies squarely on solving the Hawks’ defense, which has been a nightmare in their two meetings this season. Both losses followed a similar script, with All-NBA Defensive First Team candidate Dyson Daniels wreaking havoc at the point of attack. At 6-foot-7, Daniels uses his length and physicality to relentlessly pressure Jalen Brunson, often picking him up full court. The results have been telling: Brunson has shot just 13-of-33 from the field, totaling 35 points across the two defeats. “We’ve gotta execute our game plan, but we’ve gotta be ready to adjust when things aren’t going our way,” Brunson said on Sunday. “Every game is gonna be a roller coaster, so you’re gonna have a lead, you’re gonna be down, you never know what’s gonna happen. As a team, we’ve gotta stay composed, keep our foot on the gas, and figure out how to win.” Mikal Bridges emphasized the importance of communication and “playing hard” in countering Atlanta’s physicality. The Hawks also leverage their size advantage on the wings and a potent center rotation featuring Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu. The Knicks, in contrast, could be shorthanded again, with Karl-Anthony Towns questionable for the matchup due to a thumb sprain. Adding to New York’s challenge is the return of Hawks breakout star Jalen Johnson, who logged 14 points and 13 rebounds in Atlanta’s overtime win against the Boston Celtics on Saturday. “They’re physical. They’re long, athletic. They can shoot, they can put it on the floor,” Thibodeau said. “They’re good rebounders, they’re big, and we’re gonna have to play tough and smart for 48 minutes.” Despite the game’s tactical focus, Young’s flair for showmanship remains an unavoidable subplot. His villainous relationship with Knicks fans dates back to Atlanta’s playoff victory over New York in 2021, a rivalry he has embraced with gestures like shimmies and dramatic bows. “I think if that’s what he wants to do, it’s good for him. If he embraces it, great for him,” Brunson said. “I have a lot of respect for him as a player, and I think that dates before I even got here. It’s another challenge for us, and we’ve just gotta be ready.” If the Knicks want to prevent another spectacle from Young, it will require containing him while cracking Atlanta’s stingy defense. Brunson, however, insists the team’s motivation doesn’t hinge on theatrics. “[Is there] a little more to this game tomorrow? No. We have to approach every game the same way,” Brunson said. “Our motivation is to win every game we go out there and play. That’s all the motivation we need.” Bridges added that Young’s antics are a byproduct of the Knicks’ lapses. “We thought we weren’t playing the right way on both ends and that’s what made him [roll the dice],” he said. “If we played better on both ends, he wouldn’t have been [able to do that].”