Trae Young’s Injury Raises Questions About Hawks’ Future

ATLANTA, Georgia — Atlanta Hawks star guard Trae Young is sidelined for at least four weeks due to a sprained MCL in his right knee. This injury occurred just minutes into the fifth game of the season. His absence has raised significant questions about the team’s future and performance without their leading player.

Before his injury, Young was struggling, averaging 17.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game while shooting just 37.1 percent from the field. The Hawks began the season 1-3 with Young on the court. However, since he has been sidelined, the team has unexpectedly rebounded, posting a 4-2 record, including noteworthy victories over the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers.

Young’s injury has opened an opportunity for Dyson Daniels, a fourth-year guard who has emerged as a key playmaker in his absence. Daniels led the team with 13 assists in a recent win against the Lakers, helping several teammates achieve career-high points. His performance raises the question of whether the Hawks could be better off without Young.

The statistics support this theory; with Young off the court, the Hawks have outscored opponents by 4.8 points per 100 possessions, a 13-point swing compared to when he is playing. As Daniels continues to grow into the primary ball handler, the Hawks will reassess their strategy moving forward, especially as Young moves closer to free agency.

“This year, with Young eligible for an extension and signs of no deal in the offing, the discussion about his fit within the team has intensified,” said coach Quin Snyder. The Hawks have a bright core of younger players, including Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Daniels.

Following their recent success, the Hawks are starting to develop a new identity, focusing on defense, ball movement, and player development, inspired by players who train together in a group they call the ‘Breakfast Club.’

In a recent matchup against the Lakers, five Hawks were out because of injury, yet the team still dominated with contributions from Gueye and Newell. This adaptive strategy has sparked conversation about reshaping the roster if Young’s defensive weaknesses continue to be exposed.

As the team navigates through November without their star guard, they will continue to evaluate their season and the potential for a future built around a younger, more defensively sound lineup.