Trae Young Returns: Can the Hawks Take the Next Step with Their Star Back in the Fold?
After 22 games on the sidelines, Trae Young is officially back in action tonight against the Charlotte Hornets. The Hawks’ star point guard has been recovering from a right MCL sprain suffered in late October against the Brooklyn Nets. And while Atlanta managed to stay afloat in his absence, Young’s return signals a pivotal moment in the trajectory of this team’s season-and perhaps his career.
Holding It Down Without Their Star
Let’s start with what the Hawks accomplished without him. A 13-9 run over 22 games sounds solid on paper-and it is.
But it doesn’t fully capture the rollercoaster nature of their play. There were flashes of cohesion, particularly on the defensive end, where the Hawks hovered around seventh in defensive rating during Young’s absence.
That’s a notable jump for a team that’s long been defined by its offense-first identity.
But even with that defensive boost, Atlanta’s struggles on the glass-especially defensive rebounding-kept them from fully capitalizing on that improvement. In other words, they were getting stops but not securing possessions. That’s a tough way to win consistently in today’s NBA.
Still, the stretch wasn’t without its bright spots. Jalen Johnson continued his breakout campaign, Nickeil Alexander-Walker-who, interestingly, was recruited by Young himself-stepped up in key moments, and Onyeka Okongwu brought much-needed energy and rim protection.
The Hawks got a valuable look at what this team can be without its franchise centerpiece. And while it wasn’t always pretty, it was instructive.
The Real Test Begins Now
Now comes the real question: what does this team look like with Trae Young back on the floor?
Atlanta currently sits seventh in the Eastern Conference with a 15-12 record. They’re just half a game behind the fourth-seeded Celtics, and with the East still wide open behind the top tier, there’s a real opportunity for the Hawks to make a push. If Young can elevate the offense without torpedoing the defensive strides they’ve made, this team has the pieces to climb the standings quickly.
But that’s easier said than done.
The version of the Hawks that played without Young leaned into a fast-paced, transition-heavy style that emphasized ball movement and defensive intensity. That’s not exactly Young’s bread and butter.
He’s a maestro in the halfcourt, orchestrating pick-and-rolls and manipulating defenses with his vision and deep shooting range. The challenge now is blending those two identities-finding a way for Young to lead without disrupting the rhythm the team found in his absence.
And let’s be honest: defense is going to be the sticking point. Young has long been considered a liability on that end, and while the Hawks can scheme around it to some extent, it’s hard to ignore the fact that their defense improved significantly while he was out. If they can maintain that edge with Young back, it changes the ceiling for this group.
A Crucial Stretch for Young’s Future
Beyond the team’s playoff hopes, this stretch is massive for Young personally. He holds a $49.0 million player option for next season, and while the expectation heading into the year was that he’d decline it in favor of a longer-term max deal, that narrative has shifted.
There’s a growing sense around the league that Young’s value has taken a hit. Fair or not, questions about his playoff production, defensive limitations, and hefty salary have led some front offices to view him as a negative-value asset. That’s a stark contrast from just a couple of seasons ago, when he led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals and looked like one of the league’s rising superstars.
Now, he’s facing a different kind of pressure. If he can return to form and lead Atlanta on a deep playoff run, he’ll reassert himself as one of the NBA’s elite guards-and likely secure another max contract in the process. If not, he may have to pick up that player option and spend another year proving he’s worth the investment.
Legacy on the Line?
It’s not hyperbole to say that the next few months could define Young’s legacy in Atlanta. If he leads the Hawks to postseason success and reestablishes himself as a foundational star, he could go down as the greatest player in franchise history. If he struggles, or if the team stalls out in the Play-In range, the conversation shifts dramatically.
He could become the latest in a line of talented Hawks who never quite got over the hump-more Al Horford than Dominique Wilkins.
But that’s the beauty of this moment: it’s all still in play. Young is back.
The Hawks are in the mix. And the Eastern Conference is there for the taking.
Now it’s time to see what Trae Young-and this Atlanta team-are really made of.