Hawks’ all-star PG Trae Young has appeared in five of the team’s 25 games this season. On October 31, Young suffered a sprained MCL vs. the Brooklyn Nets.
He’s missed 20 consecutive games and counting for Atlanta. The Hawks are 12-8 in the 20 games Young has missed. In that time, the team has developed a strong defensive identity. ESPN’s Shams Charania recently gave an injury update for the 27-year-old PG. He reported that Trae Young is “optimistic” that he can return in December for the Hawks.
When will Trae Young play his next game for the Atlanta Hawks?
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— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 9, 2025
The Hawks are patiently waiting for Trae Young to make his return to the lineup. Atlanta’s all-star PG suffered an MCL sprain in late October. Young has been forced to miss 20 consecutive games for the Hawks. Luckily, the team has depth, and they’ve stayed competitive without Trae Young in the lineup. They are 12-8 in the 20 games he’s missed. Players like Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker have stepped up to take on larger roles.
No player has done more for the Hawks while in Young’s absence than Jalen Johnson. The fifth-year pro is having a breakout season for Atlanta. He leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists per game. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania shared an injury update for Hawks PG Trae Young.
Trae Young putting up some shots in warmups.
From Nov. 1 release, “Young has begun rehabilitation and will be re-evaluated in approximately four weeks. An update will be provided at that time.”
Tomorrow will be four weeks. pic.twitter.com/yFO2sBhQ8t
— Kevin Chouinard (@KLChouinard) November 28, 2025
Charania said Young is “optimistic” that he can return by the end of December. The Hawks have 10 more games in December 2025 for Young to make a potential return. If he fails to make it back before the New Year, he’ll have missed 30 consecutive games for Atlanta. Young has just over two weeks to get back to full strength and return to the lineup.
Without Trae Young, the Hawks have been able to hold their own. The team is 12-8 in the 20 consecutive games he’s missed. That has fans speculating about Young’s future with the team. This offseaosn, the all-stat PG failed to sign a contract extension with Atlanta.
He has a $49 million player option in 2026-27. If he turns down that deal, Young would become a free agent. With the success the Hawks have had without Young, media members believe he could be traded or leave in free agency.
