Trae Young Carries Heavy Load for Injury-Plagued Atlanta Hawks

Trae Young is shouldering a significant burden for the Atlanta Hawks as the team navigates a slew of injuries early in the 2024-25 NBA season. With key players such as Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kobe Bufkin, Vit Krejci, and De’Andre Hunter sidelined, Young’s role has become even more critical.

Young is leading the league in assists with an average of 11.6 per game and is also averaging 28.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Despite his impressive numbers, he is doing so inefficiently, shooting 40.2% from the field and 30% from three-point range. Much of his scoring comes from the free throw line, where he averages 10.6 attempts per game with a 90.6% success rate.

The Hawks’ injury situation has placed a heavy defensive and offensive load on Young. Coach Quin Snyder highlighted that the injuries, particularly at the ball-handling positions, have increased Young’s responsibilities. “The ball-handling responsibility falls on Trae [Young],” Snyder said. “When you are the person the other team plans for; when [Bilal] Coulibaly guards you, when [Lu] Dort guards you, Trae’s got the toughest matchup, and offensively we’re depending on his ability to create.

Young’s performance will be crucial in the Hawks’ upcoming game against the Sacramento Kings. The Hawks are facing significant defensive challenges, particularly in defending three-point shots, where they allow a league-high 42.1% success rate. Young’s ability to create scoring opportunities and manage the game will be pivotal in what is expected to be a tough matchup.

Despite the challenges, Young remains a competitive and driven player. As Snyder noted, “He holds himself accountable because he wants to win. It’s a challenge for him, but if you guys know, Trae is really competitive.

The Hawks’ overall performance has been impacted by their injuries, resulting in a 2-3 record to start the season. However, with Young’s standout performances and the potential of rookies like Zaccharie Risacher, there is optimism for long-term improvement as the team regains health and adjusts its play style.