Newly acquired Washington Wizards guard Trae Young is still recovering from MCL and quad injuries on his right leg and will be reevaluated after the All-Star break next month, head coach Brian Keefe said Wednesday.
Hawks Traded Trae Young To Wizards
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Wizards are taking a “cautious approach” with the injuries to the 27-year-old. This means Young will miss at least the next 14 games.
“Our priority for him is his health. That’s No. 1,” Keefe said before Washington’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers. “Obviously, we’re going to trust the process with our medical and performance teams. The only thing I have is that we are going to reevaluate him after the break.”
#Wizards HC Brian Keefe on the acquisition of Trae Young, who is being ruled out until after the All-Star break. @SportingTrib pic.twitter.com/rknRjvNAx7
— Fredo Cervantes (@FredoCervantes) January 15, 2026
Last Thursday, Atlanta traded Young to the Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Young spent seven-plus seasons with the Hawks after he entered the NBA in the 2018 draft.
Young sprained his right MCL in late October and missed 22 consecutive games before returning in mid-December. After playing in five of Atlanta’s next six contests, he suffered a right quad contusion that sidelined him for his final six games with the Hawks.
Young Led Atlanta To Playoffs Three Times
Young was a four-time All-Star with the Hawks and the face of the franchise. The 6-foot-2 guard remains Atlanta’s all-time leader in 3-pointers (1,295) and assists (4,837).
He led the Hawks to the playoffs three times in his eight years, including a run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2021. Atlanta hasn’t made the postseason since the 2022-23 campaign.
In 10 games this season, Young has averaged only 19.3 points per game, his fewest since his rookie season (19.1 PPG), on 41.5% shooting from the floor and a career-worst 30.5% from 3-point range.
Per Spotrac, Young has $95 million total remaining on his five-year, $215.15 million rookie max extension, with this season and next season. His deal includes a $48.96 million player option for 2026-27.
The Wizards have lost four straight games to fall to 10-29 and are 14th in the Eastern Conference standings. Washington has not made the playoffs since its first-round exit in the 2020-21 season.
