NBA Notes: Hawks, Trae Young, Bulls, Isaac Okoro, Grizzlies

Hawks

Trae Young has been diagnosed with a sprained MCL in his right knee and will be reevaluated in four weeks, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

An MRI was reviewed by multiple doctors, and the Hawks issued a statement confirming that Young avoided major structural damage and has already begun rehab.

Young was injured in a collision with teammate Mouhamed Gueye early in Wednesday’s game at Brooklyn. He didn’t return and also missed Friday night’s game at Indiana.

He is off to a slow start but is still difficult to replace. Young is averaging 17.8 points and 7.8 assists while shooting career lows from the field and from three.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker started Friday, and Keaton Wallace logged 17 minutes off the bench — his highest total of the season.

Atlanta can breathe a little easier knowing this is not season-ending.

If it had been, it could have impacted Young’s $49 million player-option decision for 2026-27 and his ongoing extension framework.

Bulls

Isaac Okoro knows how tough Chicago’s pace can be because he used to deal with it as a defender in Cleveland. Now that he is playing inside it, he is seeing the other side of it.

“It wears you out throughout the game,” Okoro told Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. “You see the legs go. You see the hands start going on the knees. And that’s when you start killing them.”

The Bulls are scoring at a blistering rate. And it’s coming from everywhere — especially the bench. Chicago ranked 14th in bench points last season at 36 per game.

They are up to second at 49 per game. Cowley added those numbers should only climb once Coby White and Zach Collins return from early-season injuries.

As an aside, Josh Giddey’s contract was one of Chicago’s big offseason stories. So far, the deal is looking sharp. Giddey posted 32 points with 10 rebounds and nine assists Friday.

Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic noted Giddey has taken full control of the offense.

“I’m in a place where I’m wanted,” Giddey said. “I’m happy here.”

Grizzlies

In case you missed it, Memphis suspended Ja Morant one game for conduct detrimental to the team.

Charania reported coach Tuomas Iisalo questioned Morant’s leadership and effort after Friday’s loss to the Lakers — and Morant’s response was deemed inappropriate.

Morant finished with eight points and one rebound. He shot 3-for-14 and attempted two free throws.

He repeatedly told reporters to “go ask the coaching staff” when asked why his performance dipped.

Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal wrote Morant appeared disengaged late, including not taking a shot in the final five minutes.

Morant will serve the suspension Sunday in Toronto.