Trae Young suffered a right knee injury late in the first quarter of the Atlanta Hawks’ game against the Brooklyn Nets when teammate Mouhamed Gueye fell awkwardly into his leg following a collision with Noah Clowney.

Young’s knee bent at an awkward angle, causing him visible pain as he went down. He stayed on the floor for some time before eventually getting up and jogging toward the bench.

After one more possession on the floor, Young checked out and headed to the locker room, missing the remainder of the game as the Hawks secured a narrow 117-112 victory.​

Initial Diagnosis and Medical Outlook

The Hawks quickly ruled Young out for the rest of the game, labeling the injury a right knee sprain and clarifying that it was not an ACL tear, a critical detail alleviating some fears about the severity of the injury.

Young is scheduled to undergo an MRI to further assess any ligament damage, with the Hawks awaiting detailed results to determine his recovery timeline.

Injury specialists have suggested the most likely injury could be a medial collateral ligament sprain, which, while serious, generally does not require surgery and offers a promising recovery outlook compared to more severe knee injuries.​

Team Ramifications and Future Considerations

Young’s injury comes at a tough time for the Hawks, who are navigating a slow start to their season. Prior to the injury, Young was averaging 20.8 points and 9.5 assists per game but struggling with shooting efficiency.

His presence remains crucial as the Hawks aim to rebound in the competitive Eastern Conference, especially after offseason acquisitions like Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kennard.

If sidelined for an extended period, players such as Kennard and Nickeil Alexander-Walker may need to step up in Young’s absence as the Hawks push to regain their form.

The Hawks are hopeful for a swift recovery, but the MRI results will provide clarity on whether Young’s status will impact the team in the weeks ahead.