Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young is making notable strides in his recovery from a sprained MCL in his right knee, as reported by the team. However, he is expected to be sidelined for at least two additional weeks, with his next evaluation scheduled for December 14 against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Young sustained the injury during an October 29 matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, after colliding with teammate Mouhamed Gueye. Initially, he was ruled out for the remainder of that game, and an MRI confirmed that he had a sprained MCL, but fortunately revealed no further damage.
In Young’s absence, the Hawks have fared well, boasting an impressive 11-5 record, including the victory against Brooklyn. This resilience has sparked discussions about the team’s dynamics, particularly with fifth-year forward Jalen Johnson stepping into the spotlight. Johnson’s performance has been stellar, and he recently recorded a triple-double against the Cleveland Cavaliers, with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists. His emergence raises questions about Young’s future with the franchise, especially as his contract situation looms. Young has a player option worth $49 million for the 2026-27 season but is expected to explore unrestricted free agency, which complicates his long-term prospects with the team.
Additionally, reigning Most Improved Player Dyson Daniels has increased his playmaking responsibilities during Young’s recovery. The Canadian guard has also been performing well, significantly increasing his scoring average from last season.
Heading into this stretch of games, head coach Quin Snyder will face critical decisions regarding the lineup, particularly with the contributions from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who has seen a marked increase in performance after being acquired in a sign-and-trade. Alexander-Walker has more than doubled his scoring average, making his return to the bench uncertain when Young is ready to rejoin the rotation.
The Hawks’ ability to maintain competitive play without their star point guard bodes well for the team’s depth and future potential, making it an exciting time for Atlanta fans as they look ahead to Young’s return.