“Especially after what the city went through earlier this year,” he added, referencing the Atlanta area spa shootings in March, where eight people were killed, including six Asian women.

The nine-season NBA veteran was a key figure in the development of Hawks star Trae Young, who scored 48 points in the win over the Bucks, with the fifth-round draft pick praising Lin for his influence.

Young showed his support for Lin in the summer of 2019 when it became clear that the former Linsanity star was being overlooked in NBA free agency after leaving the Raptors. Lin told fans in Taiwan that he felt “in some ways, the NBA has given up on me”.

“Me having JLin7 as one of my Vets, I’ll tell you I’ll ALWAYS be a fan of him!!” Young wrote on Twitter. “Dude can HOOOOP, But is never selfish, it’s always about others and the Team First … The real ones know Bro!! I’ll always have your back … You not done yet.”

Lin returned after the season finished to chase another NBA contract, starring in the G League for the Santa Cruz Warriors but once again being overlooked for a contract.

Earlier this month, Lin announced that he would return to Beijing for next season.

However, CBA teams have discussed playing the first part of the 2021-22 season without foreigners. Lin, who also has a Taiwanese passport, may still be able to join the Ducks ahead of the season start.

Young had predicted that he and Lin would get on before the veteran arrived.

“From what I’ve heard, he’s going to be a great mentor for me,” Young said of Lin in an August 2018 interview with The Athletic. “We’ve been talking. He’s a good dude. He’s been through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. He’s seen it all, so I’m looking forward to picking his brain.”

Game two of the Eastern Conference Finals is on Friday night in Milwaukee.