Trae Young getting sidelined with an injury is a feather-ruffling blow for the Hawks. The Atlanta-based franchise is in the play-in race and the injury comes as a big setback for them. After initially missing out on the NBA All-Star selection, Trae Young got his chance when Julius Randle and Joel Embiid missed out due to injuries. With a twist of fate, Young himself sustained a potentially season-ending blow against the Raptors on Friday in a narrow loss.
Without Trae Young’s ball-handling skills, the Hawks are in a mild situation so far this season, but they need their talisman back on the court as soon as possible. As per the latest report, his recovery timeline has been disclosed.
Trae Young injury update
Despite initially missing out on the NBA All-Star selection, Trae Young was later sidelined for at least four weeks, as per the statement provided by the Hawks. The 25-year-old snapped the radial collateral ligament (RCL) ligament on his little finger on the left hand, as confirmed by an MRI. Trae will go under surgery on Tuesday and will be out until at least late March.
Hawks HC Quin Snyder said, “You feel awful for Trae more than anything, it is going to be a challenge for him not to be out there.” He further added, “You have to adapt, that happened when we lost Jalen [Johnson]. We have to have minutes from Kobe [Bufkin] and Patty [Mills] and we obviously know what [Dejounte Murray] can do. I don’t want to wallow in anything.”
According to the injury timeline provided, Young can miss at least 14 games before being re-evaluated, and only after that can he return, depending on the results. Young missed two games in late January after suffering a concussion during the 116-95 loss to the Cavs.
How will Trae Young’s injury affect Hawks?
Trae Young’s absence will undoubtedly be one giant puzzle for HC Quin. Young this season has 26.4 points per game and 10.8 assists per game, along with 2.7 rebounds. With their superstar guard out, Kobe Bufkin gets the chance to shine and a lot can depend on Dejounte Murray, who will be the team’s ace going forward. Looking at the next five fixtures, the Hawks will play Jazz, host the Nets twice in a row, followed by the Knicks and finish off the sequence with a trip to the Cavs.
The Nets and Raptors are the closest competitors to the Hawks’ play-in spot and their current form can be a reason for optimism in the Hawks ranks. Even if the Cavs and Knicks game goes wrong, the Hawks’ buffer on the next two teams in the standings should keep them safe.
Following the five games, the Hawks will have a clearer understanding of their playoff chances and whether they should aim for a play-in spot or strategically lose games for a higher draft pick. Regardless of their decision, it’s clear that the Hawks’ season will be heavily influenced by Trae Young’s absence.
