Trae Young Questionable for Thursday Return in Charlotte
trae-young-questionable-for-thursday-return-in-charlotte
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young has been listed as questionable for Thursday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets, giving the two-time All-Star a realistic chance to play for the first time since Oct. 29.
Young sprained the MCL in his right knee during Atlanta’s fifth contest of the season and has missed the past 22 games. Because he will fall short of the league’s 65-game minimum, the injury rules him out of consideration for end-of-season honors such as All-NBA.
Before the setback, the 27-year-old averaged 20.8 points and 9.5 assists over four full outings but struggled from the field, shooting 36.4% overall and 19.2% (5-for-26) from three-point range.
Despite his absence, the Hawks have gone 14-9 since a 1-3 start and sit at 15-12 overall. Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Vit Krejci have absorbed additional ball-handling duties while Young recovered.
Young practiced Tuesday with the College Park Skyhawks, the club’s G League affiliate, and worked out Wednesday with the NBA squad, signaling he is close to a return. If he is not cleared for Thursday, his next opportunity comes Friday when Atlanta hosts the San Antonio Spurs.
The 6-foot-1 guard can reach unrestricted free agency next summer by declining his $48.96 million player option for 2026-27, a circumstance that has fueled recent trade speculation. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported, however, that the Hawks expect Young’s return to further stabilize a roster that has remained competitive without him.
Source: Hoops Rumors
