The Atlanta Hawks suffered a devastating blow. Their franchise player, Trae Young, sustained a sprain in his right medial collateral ligament on Saturday night during the team’s 117-112 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Although he avoided major structural damage, the guard will be sidelined for at least a month.
The incident occurred in the first quarter when teammate Mouhamed Gueye fell onto Young’s leg after being pushed by Noah Clowney. The scene sparked immediate concern both on the bench and among fans in the arena.
According to The New York Post, through five games this season, Young has averaged 17.8 points and 7.8 assists while shooting 37.1 percent from the field. His numbers are below his career averages, but his impact on Atlanta’s offense remains undeniable. Since entering the NBA, he has been the engine of the Hawks’ attack.
Hawks face uncertainty without their leader
Young’s absence comes at a critical moment for Atlanta. The team is determined to return to the playoffs after missing the postseason for two consecutive years. Without their leader, head coach Quin Snyder must reorganize his roster and find quick solutions to keep the team competitive.
Trae Young has an apparent knee injury after Mo Gueye fell into him. It appears that he has hyper extended it. He tried to stay in the game, but has now went back to the locker room pic.twitter.com/l1FtiCJ6BZ
— SleeperHawks (@SleeperHawks) October 30, 2025
Throughout his career, Young has been a four-time All-Star and earned All-NBA Third Team honors once. In the 2021-22 season, he averaged 28.4 points and 9.7 assists, solidifying himself as one of the most creative point guards in the league.
The 27-year-old also faces a major contract decision. He holds a $49 million player option for next season and is eligible for a four-year, $229 million extension. Despite the pressure, Young remains calm. “I think it’s going to be great. I’m not worried about that,” he told ESPN.
Young stays focused on what he can control. “I can only control the present. And I know that if we win, everybody eats… I understand what winning can do.” His words show maturity and confidence in his team, even while dealing with adversity.
As he recovers, the Hawks must rediscover their spark and maintain hope without their leader. Without Trae Young, Atlanta will need to reinvent itself to stay airborne in a competitive Eastern Conference.
