Trae Young last played on Oct. 29 for the Atlanta Hawks, and he'll be out for a while longer after he sprained his MCL. ESPN reported that Young would be sidelined for at least four weeks. Including the game against the Nets in which he was injured (he played only 7 minutes), the Hawks are 8-3, thanks in large part to Jalen Johnson's breakout.
He's averaging 22.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.9 steals per game in the last 10 contests without Young (he didn't play against the Lakers), shooting 57.7% from the field, 43.2% from three, and 81.3% from the free-throw line. Even before Young got hurt, Johnson scored over 20 points in two of the first three games he played to start the season.
The 23-year-old forward is on an absolute tear right now, which isn't all that surprising. Johnson looked like an All-Star last year before he hurt his shoulder and was ruled out in January for the rest of the season. He's come back even better, showcasing his improvement as a playmaker with Young out, as well as turning into a three-point threat.
Young's future with the Hawks is in the balance after the team didn't sign him to an extension before the season (he can sign one at any time). He could decline his $49 million player option for next season to become an unrestricted free agent, potentially leaving Atlanta.
The Hawks decided they wanted to see how the season plays out, at least the start of it, and if Young goes, it's clear that Johnson will take his spot as the face of the franchise.
Jalen Johnson is playing on another level for the Hawks
Atlanta is 9-6, sixth in the East. The team won four straight games, albeit against a few lowly opponents out West, before returning home and losing to the red-hot Pistons on Tuesday. Johnson had 25 points (8-of-18 shooting), nine assists, eight rebounds, three steals, and one block in 39 minutes.
He recorded a triple-double in a 132-122 win over the Jazz, and in three other games this season, he came two assists short each game of getting a triple-double. Johnson has been playing like an absolute machine at a time when the Hawks need it most.
None of this is to say that Atlanta is better without Young, but without him, the Hawks have taken a defensive-first approach. It's worked, but again, the recent road trip Atlanta took didn't feature any high-level opponents. It's not like the Hawks are eager to toss Young aside and make Johnson their centerpiece.
What Atlanta has seen from Johnson over the past few weeks reassures it about what a post-Young future could look like, though.