Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young has been cleared to return to practice after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left hand. Although there is no set timeline for when he will officially return to the court, this news comes just in time for the NBA’s play-in tournament, which is set to begin next week.
Young sustained the injury during a game against the Toronto Raptors in February. An MRI revealed that he had torn a ligament in his pinkie finger, requiring surgery a few days later. Initially expected to miss at least four weeks, Young has been sidelined for longer due to complications from the procedure.
Despite Young’s absence, the Hawks have managed a record of 12-10 over the past six weeks. They currently have a 36-42 record and have secured a playoff berth, however, they are in tenth place in the Eastern Conference standings. This means they will face off against the Chicago Bulls in the play-in tournament, although they are only one game behind ninth place.
With four regular-season games remaining, the Hawks have an opportunity to improve their standing in the Eastern Conference. If Young returns for these final games, it could be enough to push them into eighth or ninth place and secure home court advantage in the first round of playoffs. However, if he remains out until after the play-in tournament begins, it may be more challenging for them to make it through and reach postseason contention.
Overall, while Trae Young’s injury has been difficult for both him and his teammates on and off the court, this news brings hope that he may soon be able to return and help lead them towards success come playoff season.
