The Atlanta Hawks have shown improved performance since Trae Young's MCL sprain early in the season. With a strong record and solid rankings in key areas, the team faces questions about reintegrating their star point guard. Young's status is now questionable for Thursday's game against the Charlotte Hornets.
The Atlanta Hawks began the season with a 1-3 record before Trae Young suffered an MCL sprain early in their fifth game. Since then, the team has gone 14-9 in games he has not finished, achieving a winning percentage of just under 61 percent. This marks a notable improvement, as the Hawks have never won more than 57 percent of their games in a full season with Young, holding a career record of 221-267 in his appearances, or about 45 percent.
Statistically, the Hawks have posted a +2.1 net rating without Young, nearly matching their best full-season mark of +2.2 in 2021 when they reached the conference finals. Defensively, they rank No. 13 in the NBA since his injury, a first for the team over a full season with Young, who has never led them to an above-average defensive rating. Offensively, Atlanta sits at No. 12, bolstered by a seventh-ranked transition efficiency according to Synergy Sports, with only the Heat and Bulls relying more on transition possessions.
In half-court play, the Hawks rank 19th in points per possession since the injury, per Cleaning the Glass, compared to 16th last year and no higher than 14th since 2022. The team's style emphasizes quick decisions, averaging over 308 passes per game—fifth in the league—up from 17th last season. Young's typical 5.69 seconds per touch and 5.5 dribbles per touch contrast sharply with teammates, who average under 3.5 seconds and four dribbles, except for bench guard Keaton Wallace.
Last season, Young scored just 39 points off cuts and attempted fewer than one catch-and-shoot three per game. Eligible for an extension last offseason, no deal was reached, and he holds a player option for 2026-27. The Hawks boast depth with players like Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Onyeka Okongwu, Dyson Daniels, and rookie Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick. They also own an unprotected 2026 first-round pick from the Pelicans.
Young's return could enhance the half-court offense, where he once led the league, but his high-usage style may clash with the current ball-movement approach. The team must adapt to determine if he elevates their ceiling or disrupts their progress.
