The Atlanta Hawks have played well early in the 2025–26 season, winning seven of their last ten games. They have managed to do so without All-Star point guard Trae Young, who has missed 15 straight games with a right knee MCL sprain.
It was a massive blow at the time and still is, but the offseason additions Atlanta made to improve its depth along with the continued development of their homegrown players have kept the team afloat and competitive in the Eastern Conference in his absence. When Young returns, he will have the best supporting cast of his career with the Hawks.
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11)Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Young’s absence officially hit one month on Saturday, as his injury came on October 29 in a matchup with the Brooklyn Nets. He suffered the injury in the first quarter after an awkward collision with a teammate on the defensive end that directly impacted his right knee.
The Hawks made an official announcement on Young and his rehab process before Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
“An @emoryhealthcare injury update: Trae Young sustained a right knee MCL sprain on Oct. 29 at Brooklyn. He continues to make good progress through his rehabilitation, and he will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks. An update will be provided at that time,” the team wrote on X.
Fortunately, Young has not experienced any setbacks, which is encouraging given how serious knee injuries can be in the NBA, especially for a playmaking point guard. His importance to the Hawks is enormous, and their playoff hopes will ultimately hinge on his ability to stay healthy.
A four-time All-Star, Young has already built a reputation as one of the league’s most dynamic offensive players. He led the NBA in assists during the 2024–25 season and earned All-NBA honors in 2021–22. His blend of deep shooting range, elite passing vision and ability to control tempo makes him the centerpiece of the Hawks’ offense. Still, he is searching for sustained postseason success in Atlanta to cement his legacy.
Before going down with injury, Young had struggled to open the year, averaging 17.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 7.8 assists while shooting 37.1% from the field and 19.2% from beyond the arc. Once he returns to action, the Hawks will look for him to regain his usual All-Star form and elevate the team into title contention.