Trae Young Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Hawks' star Trae Young downplays reported issue with head coach

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 12/5/22

Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young is downplaying a reported issue with his head coach that led to him missing Friday's game against the Denver Nuggets, saying the incident was blown out of proportion once it was made public.

"It's hard for people who don't know the full situation to understand it," Young told reporters on Monday. "It's a private matter made public, which was unfortunate. If it stayed private it probably wouldn't have been as big of a deal."

"If it was to stay private, it probably wouldn't have been that big of a deal," - Trae Young

Says when you're an outsider to a private situation, you should stay on the outside. #Hawks pic.twitter.com/6dQrGTV2Yg
— Reggie Chatman Jr. (@ReggieChatman) December 5, 2022

According to a report from Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic, Young and head coach Nate MacMillan were at odds after Young chose to miss Friday's shootaround to get treatment on his shoulder and said he would decide whether or not he would play closer to game time. MacMillan then reportedly gave Young an ultimatum, saying he could either play off the bench or not at all.

The Hawks ultimately won Friday's game 117-110, but there are still lingering questions regarding Young and MacMillan's relationship. While Atlanta is playing well overall in the Eastern Conference, Young's numbers are lower than usual and an ongoing tiff with the head coach could lead to some personnel changes in the future if the two can't get along.

More must-reads: