Here’s a gut-wrenching blow for Atlanta Hawks fans: their star point guard, Trae Young, is sidelined for at least four weeks due to a sprained medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee. But here's where it gets controversial—could this injury impact his eligibility for season-ending awards like the All-NBA selection? Let’s break it down.
The Hawks announced on Saturday that Young, the reigning NBA assist champion, suffered the injury during Wednesday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets. An MRI on Friday confirmed the MCL sprain while ruling out any damage to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or other structures in the knee. Young has already begun rehab, and the team plans to reevaluate his condition in approximately four weeks.
If this timeline holds, Young could miss at least 15 games. And this is the part most people miss—the NBA requires players to appear in at least 65 games to be considered for prestigious awards like the All-NBA team. With only four games played so far and this extended absence, Young’s chances of meeting that threshold are now in serious jeopardy.
Before the injury, Young was averaging 20.8 points per game through the first four matchups. However, his early exit against Brooklyn—after just seven minutes and six points—dropped his season average to 17.8 points per game. For a four-time All-Star who claimed his first assist title last season, this setback couldn’t come at a worse time.
Here’s the bold question: Should the NBA reconsider its 65-game rule for award eligibility in cases like Young’s, where a player’s impact is undeniable despite injuries? Or is the rule fair as it stands? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Either way, Hawks fans and NBA enthusiasts alike will be eagerly awaiting Young’s return to the court.
