The Hawks are looking to turn their season around ahead of the trade deadline. The return of their franchise player will be a major step toward doing so.
Trae Young, who is having an All-Star caliber season with averages of 26.9 points, 10.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game, exited Atlanta’s loss to Cleveland on Jan. 20 after drawing a charge in the fourth quarter. He did not return and was forced to miss time after entering the NBA’s concussion. It now appears he’s one step closer to returning.
Here is what we know about the NBA’s concussion protocol and Young’s status moving forward.
MORE: Making sense of the latest Dejounte Murray trade rumor
What is Trae Young’s injury?
Young was placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol on Jan. 21.
Young is believed to have suffered the concussion early in the fourth quarter of the Hawks’ 116-95 loss to the Cavaliers when he drew a charge on Cleveland forward Isaac Okoro. Young caught an elbow to the face and stayed on the ground for a moment before heading to the locker room.
Trae Young is heading to the locker room after taking this charge from Isaac Okoro. pic.twitter.com/Cs8R0syyV1
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) January 21, 2024
Here is the NBA concussion policy:
Understanding that concussions are diverse injuries that may have significant long-term consequences, the NBA Concussion Policy is designed to maximize the health and safety of NBA players by providing a framework of education and clinical management that best reflects the current scientific understanding of the injury. Prior concussion history, genetic predisposition, a history of learning disorder, ADHD, migraines, and mood disorder have all been suggested, among other things, to affect the risk of sustaining a concussion or having a more protracted or complicated course. The policy was created, therefore, under the core principle that each concussion, and each athlete, is unique.
How long is Trae Young out?
Young missed each of Atlanta’s two games during a cross-country trip to face the Kings and Warriors. Ahead of a showdown with the Mavericks on Jan. 26, Young was cleared to return to the lineup.
This season, the Hawks are 2-3 when Young is unable to suit up.
WATCH: Follow the biggest games of the 2023-24 NBA season on Sling TV
Atlanta Hawks basketball schedule 2023-24
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Jan. 26 | vs. Mavericks | 7 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Jan. 28 | vs. Raptors | 6 p.m. | — |
| Jan. 30 | vs. Lakers | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| Feb. 2 | vs. Suns | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| Feb. 3 | vs. Warriors | 7:30 p.m. | — |
Trae Young stats 2023-24
- 26.9 points per game
- 10.8 assists per game
- 3.0 rebounds per game
- 1.4 steals per game
- 4.3 turnovers per game
- 42.2 percent field goal shooting
- 36.4 percent 3-point shooting
- 85.8 percent free throw shooting
