After missing the last 22 games with a torn pinky , Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young has been cleared for contact and practice, the team announced. The Hawks have gone 12-10 in those six weeks. However, the Young’s been sorely missed, as Atlanta’s offense is sputtering without him.
Trae Young Takes Major Step in Injury Return
In Young’s absence, Dejounte Murray put on his superhero cape. Willing the Hawks to a handful of victories, Murray has averaged 24.6 points, 9.0 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 44.7 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from 3-point range. In addition, Jalen Johnson and De’Andre Hunter have averaged 34.0 points per game combined.
The Hawks have surprisingly been more efficient from deep, shooting 38.0 percent from 3 in the last 23 games (tied for sixth in the NBA). In the 55 games prior, Atlanta shot 36.1 percent from deep, 16th in the NBA. Yet, over the last 23 games, the Hawks have averaged 112.3 points per game (13th in the NBA). For comparison, up til that point in the season, Atlanta averaged 121.3 points per game (3rd in the NBA).
Despite the play of Murray, Johnson, and Hunter, it’s proving difficult to replace Young’s production. He’s an elite ball-handler with excellent court vision, excelling as a go-to scorer and playmaker. This season, he’s averaging 26.4 points and 10.8 points per game.
With four games remaining, Young could return before the regular season ends. Nonetheless, the Hawks have already clinched a postseason berth, refusing to go down without a fight despite Young being sidelined. As a result, Atlanta could wait until the Play-In Tournament to clear the three-time All-Star.
When Young returns, he can easily assume the starting spot that Vit Krejci has been occupying. Krejci has been an adept two-way playmaker for the Hawks. However, he’s also signed to a two-way contract. Consequently, Krejci is ineligible to participate in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
Who Moves to the Bench?
The big question is if the Hawks continue to roll with Bogdan Bogdanovic as a starter.
Bogdanovic’s outside shooting and tertiary playmaking enhance the offense, but he’s an unreliable on-ball defender. The same can be said of both Young and Murray, resulting in Atlanta stacking three questionable perimeter defenders in the first unit. Hunter is arguably their best perimeter defender. However, he’s developed a taste for coming off the bench because he can attack more on offense.
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