The Atlanta Hawks had among the best offseasons in the summertime of 2025. They made some exceptional strikes, together with buying and selling for Kristaps Porzingis and signing Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Trae Younger is their star participant, however they are going to be with out him for the subsequent month.
Forward of the 2025-26 season, the Atlanta Hawks had been tapped as one of the vital thrilling groups within the Jap Convention. They’d all of the instruments to enter the higher echelon within the East as a result of most individuals noticed the Boston Celtics‘ hole yr and the Indiana Pacers’ damage struggles.
Most individuals noticed the Hawks or the Orlando Magic taking their locations as a few of the East’s greatest representatives. Sadly, the Hawks haven’t been off to a sizzling begin. Moreover, issues bought worse when star guard Trae Younger sprained his MCL.
The elite playmaker is now out for at the least the subsequent month, as he shall be re-evaluated in December. That leaves the Hawks with out their major playmaker, so their offense will seemingly fall to Jalen Johnson, who will assume the position of go-to man.
Younger sprained his knee throughout their October 29 recreation towards the Brooklyn Nets. Fortunately for Hawks followers, they managed to win that recreation by a well-rounded workforce efficiency. Nickeil Alexander-Walker stepped in as the purpose guard for Atlanta throughout that recreation and the win towards the Indiana Pacers.
Now, everybody inside their group should get used to Alexander-Walker taking part in as the purpose guard and sharing ball-handling duties with Dyson Daniels. They’re principally identified for his or her prowess as defenders, however they may have extra tasks on the offensive aspect of the sport.
It is going to be difficult to interchange Younger’s manufacturing, however these reps will assist them enhance and probably develop into higher teammates to Younger when he returns someday in December. The damage was initially described as a knee sprain, however the newest report went extra particular, because it confirmed Younger sprained his MCL, which is able to take about 4 weeks earlier than he can get re-evaluated.
That is the best-case situation for Younger as a result of he averted different main accidents like a torn ACL. Now, he’ll solely must relaxation for a month, after which he can return to taking part in for them. Nonetheless, this is perhaps a tricky stretch for the Hawks, particularly for the reason that offense is basically constructed round him.
Alexander-Walker and Daniels will seemingly deal with ball-handling duties, however Johnson will in all probability get some reps. For the backup guard spots, Luke Kennard will stay the spot-up shooter off the bench, whereas Keaton Wallace might additionally step up and develop into one of the vital vital guards on their roster.
Most Hawks followers are ready to see their high-octane offense take a dip as a result of they received’t have Younger’s expertise as a playmaker. Head coach Quin Snyder should do his greatest to set his workforce up correctly by giving them good directions.
It received’t be a straightforward month for the Hawks, however they’re ready to maintain combating and taking part in on the highest degree. This shall be a tough stretch, particularly with the NBA Cup video games. Fortunately, they dominated the Pacers within the first Cup recreation, however they may have tougher video games within the group stage.
Transferring ahead, Snyder should do his greatest to maintain the workforce steady and implement the largest modifications from the 2025 offseason. Together with his teaching, the Hawks can stabilize and preserve taking part in nicely, so Younger received’t must do some heavy carrying when he does return in December.
