The Atlanta Hawks have finally gotten the positive Trae Young news they’ve been waiting weeks to hear.
Young has missed the Hawks’ last 23 games games after suffering a torn ligament in his left pinkie finger on February 25th.
Trae Young’s Return To The Atlanta Hawks Lineup Appears Imminent
According to ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Young is “nearing a return” and could even play as soon as the Hawks’ Wednesday night matchup against the Charlotte Hornets.
If Young is unable to suit up for the Hornets game, they still have two road games against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers to close out the season. But perhaps Young would opt to come back on his home floor at State Farm Arena against a relatively weaker opponent.
Atlanta Hawks All-Star guard Trae Young is nearing a return and could play as soon as tonight vs. the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell ESPN. Young had been out since surgery to repair a torn ligament in a finger on February 25. The Hawks hold the final Eastern Play-In spot. pic.twitter.com/sORxcvOOnR
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 10, 2024
The Hawks have basically treaded water without Young in the lineup. They’ve gone 12-11 in the 23 games Young has missed since February 25.
Atlanta is locked into one of the bottom two play-in tournament spots in the East. The team sits one game behind the Chicago Bulls for the 9th seed.
Given that Chicago hold the tiebreaker, the Hawks would have to leapfrog the Bulls by two full games to end the season in order to have homecourt advantage for their play-in matchup next week.
Trae Young Has Had A So-So Season So far
Before he went down with injury, Young earned himself his third-ever All-Star nod. In 51 contests this season, he’s averaged 26.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 10.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game on 42.6% shooting from the field.
While Young’s assist and steal averages would both be career highs, his field goal shooting would be the worst since the point guard’s rookie season five years ago.
But most importantly, the Hawks are once again in the middle of the pack in a weak Eastern Conference. This season will be their third consecutive finish in the play-in tournament. That was where the Hawks were before Young’s injury — and that’s ultimately where they end up once again
