Brooklyn’s Play-In Tournament hopes are still alive after getting two wins against a Trae Young-less Atlanta Hawks team. While it’s unfortunate that an All-Star player is injured, it bodes well for the Nets’ Play-In chances, as Young is a superstar who could single-handedly lead his team to victory.
The Hawks’ lead is at 3.5 games, but that might get dashed due to their injuries. Trae isn’t the only one on the injury report, as reliable wing player Saddiq Bey tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season.
How the injury affects the Hawks
Bey played 63 games this season and started in 51 of them. The former Villanova Wildcat is the perfect foil for Clint Capela or Onyeka Okungwu because Bey can stretch the floor with his shooting while contributing on the boards, as he’s grabbed 6.5 rebounds per game.
It is a big blow to Atlanta’s depth chart as Okungwu and Jalen Johnson struggle with injuries. Their ailments are not as heavy as Bey’s long-term knee injury, but his ACL tear is significant for the Hawks. Coach Quin Snyder’s team needs as much help as possible because Dejounte Murray can’t carry the team alone.
Trae’s return in late March or early April will be crucial in this race for the Play-In spot, but it also gives Brooklyn a window of opportunity. Coach Kevin Ollie and his team would hope for Atlanta to lose more games, and he will motivate his team to compete and win more games to catch up to the Hawks.
Why the Nets can capitalize on this
With Young and Bey out for a long time, the Nets can keep up with their Play-In rivals. Of course, the losses to Memphis, Charlotte, and Detroit were heartbreaking, but the Nets are not out of the race.
Cameron Thomas and Mikal Bridges are finding their rhythm, which can be a reason behind Brooklyn’s potential success for the rest of the season. It will be challenging for the Nets to compete and win more games, but the team is ready for the obstacles en route to the Play-In.
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