Ahead of their game vs. the Knicks on Friday, the Hawks are 16-19. That is 10th in the Eastern Conference. All-star PG Trae Young has been available for 10 of those 35 games in 2025-26.
Young missed 22 consecutive games for Atlanta due to a knee injury he suffered on October 29. The 27-year-old has played in five of the Hawks’ last eight games. However, he’s missed two straight with a right quad contusion. After being listed as questionable to play Friday vs. the Knicks, Hawks’ Trae Young has been ruled out.
Trae Young is out for the Hawks on Friday vs. the Knicks
The Hawks have now ruled out Trae Young for tonight’s game at New York. https://t.co/4wGoWorSm3
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 2, 2026
On Friday, January 2, the Hawks will be on the road to face the Knicks. It will be their second of three meetings in 2025-26. Less than a week ago, Atlanta lost 128-125 to New York. Onyeka Okongwu led the team that night with 31 points and 14 rebounds. Trae Young played 31 minutes that game, but was limited to nine points and 10 assists. Atlanta’s all-star PG has missed each of the team’s last two games due to a right quad contusion.
When Trae Young is out Friday, it will already be his 26th game missed in 2025-26. In his 10 starts this season, Young is averaging 19.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. This offseason, the Hawks traded with the Timberwolves. In the process, they acquired Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The versatile guard has played in 33 of the team’s 35 games and made 26 starts.
An @emoryhealthcare injury report for tonight’s game at New York:
N’Faly Dante (right knee, torn ACL): Out
Trae Young (right quad contusion): Out pic.twitter.com/dIkPuuJi7R— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 2, 2026
Alexander-Walker is easily having the most productive season of his NBA career. His 20.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 32.7 minutes per game are all new career-highs. The 27-year-old is more than capable of filling in and being the Hawks’ starting PG. While Trae Young is out, a key starter has recently returned to the rotation.
Kristaps Porzinigs made his return on December 31 after missing the last 10 games due to an illness. He played 17 minutes and scored 16 points in a 126-102 win vs. the Timberwolves. An efficient night for Porzingis. Without Trae Young, the Hawks will need Kristaps Porzingis’ offensive production. Karl-Anthony Towns (illness) and Mitchell Robinson (ankle) are both questionable to play vs. Atlanta.
