Trae Young to Miss Time with Knee Injury: Key Updates

The Atlanta Hawks will need to navigate the upcoming weeks without their star point guard Trae Young, who has been diagnosed with a right MCL sprain. According to reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania, Young is expected to be reevaluated in four weeks, leaving a significant gap in the team’s lineup.

Trae Young appears to be in pain clutching his knee during the game against the Nets. (Credit: Robert Sabo for NY Post)

Injury Details

• Incident Date: The injury occurred on Wednesday during a tightly contested matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, which the Hawks won 117-112.
• Mechanism of Injury: Young sustained the injury in the first quarter when Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye inadvertently fell onto his leg after a collision with Nets forward Noah Clowney.
• Diagnosis: Fortunately, imaging revealed no major structural damage aside from the sprain.

Young’s Season Performance

Before the injury, Trae Young showcased impressive statistics in his first five games of the season:

• Points Per Game: 17.8
• Assists Per Game: 7.8
• Field Goal Percentage: 37.1%

Despite these numbers, they fall below his typical output; last season, Young led the league with an average of 11.6 assists per game.

Career Overview

As a pivotal player for the Atlanta Hawks, Young has become a key figure in the NBA:

• Years in League: 8 years
• All-Star Selections: 4 times
• Career Averages: 25.2 points and 9.8 assists per game

Notable Achievements

• All-NBA Third Team: His performance in the 2021-22 season earned him this prestigious recognition.

Trae Young strategizes on the court during the Hawks’ game against the Nets. (Credit: AP)

Future Prospects

Looking ahead, this season is deemed crucial for Young, especially considering his imminent contract decisions:

• He holds a $49 million player option for the next season, but he aims to demonstrate his value for a $229 million, four-year extension eligible to him.

Young on the Pressure: In October, he commented on the significance of the current season, stating:

“This is the biggest season for me… If we win, everybody eats.”

He also acknowledged the unpredictability of injuries, expressing a calmness towards his situation:

“I’m not worried about it. I can only control the present.”

Conclusion

The Hawks now face the challenge of filling the void left by Trae Young as they aim to maintain their momentum through the season. Fans will be eager for updates on his recovery and the subsequent impact on the team’s performance.

For more insights and updates on Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks, visit ESPN.

Stay tuned for further developments regarding Young’s health and the Hawks’ season trajectory.