Trae Young Ejected in Wizards Debut After Altercation
What did you expect Trae Young’s first recorded statistic to be as a member of the Washington Wizards? Probably a point, right? Maybe an assist since he was brought in to help set up his younger teammates. If you were going with a sleeper, you’d probably pick a stray rebound or steal. Alas, it was none of the above. Before his first point, assist or even game as a member of the Wizards, Trae Young has picked up his first ejection in the nation’s capital.
The unusual sequence of events came in the third quarter of Washington’s home loss to Houston on Monday. Rockets forward Tari Eason, walking up the court, shoved Wizards guard Jamir Watkins to the ground, but no foul was called. A foul eventually came when the action shifted to the other side of the court, and the two teams needed to be separated. Technical fouls were called on four players: Eason, Watkins, Sharife Cooper … And Young.
So, how did Young manage to receive ejected from a game he wasn’t even playing? He walked onto the floor during the altercation to argue with an official. NBA rules are very clear about players coming off of the bench during scuffles. It is not allowed, and there have been multiple controversial playoff suspensions over the years to demonstrate how seriously the NBA takes it when a player does so.
Young seemed to take the ejection in stride, sharing a laugh about what happened on Twitter while assuring Wizards fans not to expect many more of them in his future. The incident, while bizarre, might actually prove beneficial for team chemistry. A willingness to defend teammates, even before officially taking the court, can quickly endear a player to a new locker room.
Despite the rarity of this sort of ejection, it isn’t the most notable tossing of Young’s career. Last season, he picked up a technical foul in the Play-In Tournament for throwing the ball at an official, and then quickly got a second for kicking the ball and was ejected late in the fourth quarter of a decided loss to the Orlando Magic. After that game, referee James Williams explained that Young was ejected for making “a mockery of the game.”
That previous ejection stemmed from frustration during a high-stakes game, a clear display of losing control. This latest incident, however, is markedly different. Young didn’t get tossed for losing his temper on the court, but for defending his teammate from off of it. The optics are significantly more favorable, portraying him as a player willing to stand up for his colleagues, even at his own expense.
The Wizards acquired Young in a trade earlier this year, hoping he can revitalize a franchise that has been searching for an identity. He’s expected to be a key component of a rebuilding effort, bringing both scoring and playmaking ability to a young roster. Cam Whitmore and Young were seen watching the game together on , according to Getty Images, suggesting an early attempt to build rapport.
With his Wizards debut coming on Thursday, he probably earned some valuable credit in Washington’s locker room for getting kicked out of a game he wasn’t even playing in. The incident, while unconventional, could serve as a bonding moment for the team, demonstrating a level of loyalty and commitment that extends beyond the court. It’s a small gesture, but one that could pay dividends as the Wizards look to forge a new path forward.
The Wizards will need Young to be a leader, both on and off the court. His ability to connect with his teammates and establish a positive team culture will be just as important as his on-court performance. This early display of support for Watkins, even if it resulted in an ejection, is a promising sign that he’s ready to embrace that role.