The Atlanta Hawks’ bid for a higher seed in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament took a significant blow with Trae Young’s late-season injury sidelining the star guard for an extended period.
Young, the three-time All-Star, remains out with a torn radial collateral ligament (RCL) in the fifth finger of his left hand. The injury, requiring surgery, occurred during the Hawks’ matchup against the Raptors on Feb. 23.
Despite playing through discomfort to finish the game with 11 points and seven assists, Young’s injury was later diagnosed, leading to his surgery on Feb. 27.
What is Trae Young’s injury?
Atlanta’s leading scorer and playmaker, Young’s absence is deeply felt, with averages of 26.4 points, 10.8 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game this season.
Recovery Updates: A month post-surgery, the Hawks reported Young’s progress, mentioning plans to introduce small finger exercises in the upcoming week. However, there remains no definitive timetable for his return to action.
Impact on Hawks’ Playoff Picture: With an ongoing record of 32-39, the Hawks currently hold the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They trail the ninth-seeded Bulls by 1.5 games and maintain a 5.5-game lead over the 11th-placed Nets.
In Young’s absence, Atlanta has struggled, going 10-10 in games without their star guard compared to a 22-29 record when he’s on the court.
Trae Young’s 2023-24 Season Stats:
- 26.4 points per game
- 10.8 assists per game
- 2.7 rebounds per game
- 1.4 steals per game
- 4.3 turnovers per game
- 42.6 percent field goal shooting
- 37.1 percent 3-point field goal shooting
- 85.6 percent free throw shooting
As the Hawks navigate the final stretch of the season, Young’s return remains a pivotal factor in their playoff aspirations, with fans eagerly awaiting his comeback to bolster Atlanta’s postseason campaign.