The Atlanta Hawks were playing some great basketball, going on a three-game winning streak before losing their last game at home. Following their latest loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Hawks will travel to California for their two-game road trip, which starts tonight against the Sacramento Kings. Ahead of the tough matchup against De’Aaron Fox and Co., Atlanta fans will hope Trae Young is available on the floor.
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Young suffered a hard fall after colliding with Isaac Okoro in the fourth quarter of the Hawks’ 20th January clash against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Atlanta star took a charge against Okoro and got hit in the face hard as the Cavs player tried to Eurostep his way past Young. The Hawks guard was taken out of the game during the 8:43 mark of the final quarter.
Trae Young is heading to the locker room after taking this charge from Isaac Okoro. pic.twitter.com/Cs8R0syyV1
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) January 21, 2024
The organization soon announced in an official update that Young has been diagnosed with a concussion. As per latest reports, the 25-year-old has been ruled ‘out’ of tonight’s contest against the Kings. While the medical staff didn’t reveal a set return timetable for the 2-time All-Star, they mentioned that he has been placed in concussion protocol. The Hawks’ statement read:
After an evaluation by the team’s athletic training and medical staff, Young has been diagnosed with a concussion.
Per the league’s Concussion Policy, Young will begin the NBA-mandated Return-to-Participation process.
An @emoryhealthcare injury update (2/2):
Per the league’s Concussion Policy, Young will begin the NBA-mandated Return-to-Participation process. This process includes a series of steps designed to ensure an athlete exhibits symptom-free behavior before resuming basketball…
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 21, 2024
Unfortunately, Young is out indefinitely. Even though the Atlanta side has a 2-1 record without him playing for them, they will find it difficult to get past a 23-18 Kings side, led by De’Aaron Fox, at Golden 1 Center, without their centerpiece.
Trae Young has had an All-Star-caliber season
In the first half of the season, the Atlanta Hawks have failed to live up to their expectations. The Georgia side is sitting 10th in the Eastern Conference with a subpar 18-24 record. However, Trae Young’s outstanding performance has been one of the very few positive takeaways for Quin Snyder’s team.
Playing in his 6th professional campaign, Ice Trae is averaging 26.9 points, 10.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Finishing 2nd among the Eastern Conference guards in the final All-Star voting returns, it is certain that the 6ft 1” sharpshooter will make the 3rd All-Star appearance of his career.
With Young out, Dejounte Murray will be taking on a lot of the team’s offensive load. However, considering the Kings’ form and the fact that they remain injury-free, De’Aaron Fox and co. will enter the matchup as the favorites to emerge victorious.
A loss will have a detrimental impact on the Atlanta side. They could potentially tumble down a spot in the standings with an 18-25 record.
