Jalen Brunson collides with rapper Boosie while chasing loose ball during Knicks’ blowout of Hawks

Jalen Brunson is used to the spotlight, backing in the glow of stardom while dancing around the floor in Knicks colors.

He couldn't have imagined what would bring him notoriety on Thursday night, however.

New York's supernova enjoyed a charmed day as the Knicks blitzed the Hawks to punch their ticket into the second round. At the end of the first half, though, he ended up on his behind. The source of his position? None other than famed rapper Boosie.

Here's what you need to know.

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Jalen Brunson collides with rapper Boosie

With the Knicks leading big towards the end of the first half, Brunson flaunted his effort, diving into the stands to retrieve a loose ball. The path of his leap put him right in the path of Boosie, the famed Atlanta rapper-turned-Hawks enthusiast.

This moment between Jalen Brunson & Lil Boosie 😅 pic.twitter.com/EipNIXwTSp

— NBA (@NBA) May 1, 2026

Boosie clutched his knee as he fell to the ground. The "injury" purely cosmetic -- he smiled as Brunson tried to help him on his feet.

Boosie limping to his seat https://t.co/4vvXcfHxIb pic.twitter.com/LgMx9SawsC

— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) May 1, 2026

It was the game's second-biggest "confrontation" of the day, preceded by Mitchell Robinson and Dyson Daniel's fiery foxtrot earlier in the period. This one was decidedly less frosty, although it did little to quell the sting of Atlanta's lackluster showing.

Who is Boosie?

Boosie, better known as Boosie BadAzz, is an Baton Rouge-born, Atlanta-based rapper. He's a notable figure in the Southern rap scene, coming to prominence as a Pimp C acolyte in the early 2000s. A prolific artist, Boosie has released 13 studio albums, seven collaborative albums and 44 mixtapes across his glistening career.

Boosie's catalog is replete with hits, from "Wipe Me Down" to "Set it Off." He has quietly become something of a social media sensation in his 40s, overcoming a slew of legal issues -- including a first-degree murder indictment -- to remain a force in the rap scene.

MORE KNICKS VS. HAWKS:

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Is Boosie a Hawks fan?

Boosie is a Hawks fan. In fact, he's had a handful of viral moments at Atlanta fixtures, drawing a woman's ire in 2024 after sporting a gleaming chain. Earlier in the year, he returned to the spotlight, going live on Instagram with his reaction to Trae Young's trade in the middle of an Atlanta game.

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 8, 2026

And then there's whatever this was... 

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 24, 2026

Suffice to say, there are few Hawks fans as notable as Boosie.