Hawks star Trae Young left tonight’s game at Brooklyn after spraining his right knee in the first quarter (Twitter video link from Kevin Chouinard of Hawks.com). An MRI has been scheduled for Thursday, league sources tell NBA insider Chris Haynes (Twitter link).
Young was injured in a collision with teammate Mouhamed Gueye, who was pushed into him by the Nets’ Noah Clowney on an inbounds play. The Hawks’ point guard immediately grabbed at the knee, but was able to remain in the game when play resumed. However, he checked out after one possession and went to the locker room, according to Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
Coach Quin Snyder told reporters that there’s no issue with Young’s ACL and any decisions on his status will depend on the results of the medical imaging, Bontemps adds.
Young had a slight limp as he left Barclays Center, but didn’t use a walking boot or crutches, tweets Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
A long-term injury would be catastrophic for Atlanta, which is off to a 2-3 start following several high-profile moves during the offseason. Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard were all added to the roster, but the Hawks have come out of the gate slowly.
Young remains the focal point of the offense, averaging 20.8 points and 9.5 assists per game coming into tonight’s contest. He’s also one of the league’s most prolific three-point shooters, although he’s gotten off to a rough start in that category, connecting at just 19.2% from beyond the arc in Atlanta’s first four games.
The Hawks didn’t pursue a contract extension with Young this offseason, and he admitted in September that he was hoping to have a new deal in place before training camp. He holds a $49MM player option for 2026/27 and has the opportunity to pursue free agency next summer. Young is eligible for a four-year deal worth up to a projected $223MM.
Awe contract year, interesting. Is Trae in Atlanta next season?
> Is Trae in Atlanta next season?
It’s intriguing. No other team seems to fit, much less at the max deal he thinks he deserves.
IMO, Atlanta will continue to signal to other teams he’s available, as they have been for the last couple of years, but there will continue to be no takers. I predict he is moved in a sign-and-trade at the end of next season, with a contract dramatically less than what he currently thinks his value is.
There are no obvious teams where Trae fits. Maybe the T-Wolves if they fall short again? Maybe as PG on the post-Kahwi Clippers after the league guts their future with the Kahwi-Aspiration penalties?
Very possible that starting 2027-28 he lives out the rest of his NBA career in a Lou Williams role — off-the-bench instant offense, no defense expected.
Get well Trae ……
Break Up the Bulls ……
Wat is up ???? Bulls and Sixers undefeated.😱
How is a career 35.1% three point shooter one of the league’s most dangerous?
Watching him every night…he’s definitely one of the worst three point shooters. I cringe every time he makes one of those ridiculous logo threes because I know he’s about to shoot and miss 20 more.
He said prolific, which doesn’t necessarily mean that he hits a high percentage, it can also mean that he jacks a ton of 3PT’ers up.
Looks like it was changed from dangerous to prolific.
First his shooting this yr is not there yet after three games. Closer to .36% career in reality. And he leads the NBA in ast. That’s why
> How is a career 35.1% three point shooter one of
> the league’s most dangerous?
Be fair. This is an injury update, not a player evaluation. He’s flawed, but he scores a lot of points.
Yes but he’s not efficient.