The Hawks will have to make do without their superstar point guard for the foreseeable future.
Trae Young suffered a sprain in his right MCL and will be re-evaluated in four weeks. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported this on Saturday.
Young, who was injured in the Hawks’ 117-112 win over the Nets on Wednesday, avoided major structural damage to his knee.
The 27-year-old suffered the injury during the first quarter while standing under the basket when Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye fell into Young’s leg after being pushed by Nets forward Noah Clowney.
Through the five games played this season, Young has averaged 17.8 points and 7.8 assists per game while shooting 37.1 percent from the field.
Young, who led the league with 11.6 assists last season, is in his eighth NBA season with the Hawks.
During his time in Atlanta, Young has emerged as one of the league’s best point guards, averaging 25.2 points and 9.8 assists for his career.
Throughout his career, Young has earned four All-Star selections and earned All-NBA third team honors during the 2021-2022 season.
After two consecutive seasons in which Atlanta missed the postseason, Young told ESPN in October that this year was the “biggest season” for him.
Young has a $49 million player option for next season, but wants to prove to the Hawks that he is worth the four-year, $229 million extension he is eligible for.
However, Young insisted he was “not worried” about starting the season without a deal already in place.
“I think it’s going to be great. I’m not worried about it,” Young told ESPN. “As much as I would like it, it’s not all in my hands and I can’t control everything. I can only control the present. And I know that if we win, everyone eats… I understand what winning can do.”
“If some things don’t go my way, in terms of injuries, health and things out of my control, that could be the guy above telling me there’s another plan for me. I’m focused on making sure all my guys, Quin [Snyder] included, cared for and succeeding.”
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