In a significant boost for their playoff aspirations, the Atlanta Hawks saw their star point guard, Trae Young, return to the hardwood on Thursday night. Young had been sidelined for a lengthy stretch of 22 consecutive games due to a knee injury, making his comeback in a closely contested match against the Charlotte Hornets.
Young's Comeback and Immediate Impact
The four-time All-Star's return, though in a losing effort, marked a pivotal moment for the Hawks' season. While he shook off some rust, scoring only 8 points, Young demonstrated his elite playmaking ability by dishing out 10 assists. His presence on the floor was immediately felt, orchestrating the offense. The Hawks, who have held a competitive 15-12 record and sit eighth in the Eastern Conference in his absence, are now poised for a stronger second-half push.
Injury Timeline and Road to Recovery
Trae Young's 2025-26 NBA campaign has been severely disrupted. Suffering a damaged MCL, he has managed to appear in only five games this season, with his last start dating back to October 31. According to league insider Shams Charania of ESPN, Young's recovery progressed to full participation in practice, leading to his "probable" status and eventual game-time clearance against the Hornets. The Hawks are so confident in his recovery that they expect him to play again on Friday against the San Antonio Spurs, despite the quick back-to-back turnaround, with no plans to rest him.
Balancing the Offense: Young's Role in a New System
The narrative around Young's return isn't just about his health. His agent, Rich Paul, highlighted a crucial strategic shift needed in Atlanta. While acknowledging Young as "one of the league's most gifted players," Paul pointed out that the Hawks must evolve beyond over-reliance on him. He cited the egalitarian offensive models of recent champions like the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder as the blueprint.
This philosophy has been born out of necessity during Young's absence. Forward Jalen Johnson seized the opportunity, erupting for a spectacular 43 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists in the game against Charlotte, showcasing his All-Star caliber. Johnson is not expected to simply step back into a secondary role, setting the stage for a more shared offensive burden.
In his five appearances this season, Young has averaged 17.8 points and 7.8 assists—solid numbers but below his career norms as he searches for rhythm. The Hawks' challenge now is to reintegrate their primary playmaker without stifling the growth and momentum of players like Johnson, aiming to create a more dynamic and unpredictable attack as they target a deep playoff run.
