Trae Young's injury history: Every injury the Hawks All-Star has had in his career
Trae Young had missed 29 games over the first five seasons of his NBA career. The Atlanta Hawks star missed 28 games in 2023-24 and getting him back to his previous durable ways would be a boon for the team.
The Hawks posted a 114-98 record with Young in the lineup from 2020-21 through 2022-23.
Of course, he was just 5-5 without Dejounte Murray since the latter’s arrival. The Hawks traded Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2024 offseason.
That puts even greater emphasis on Young’s availability. The big issue before Murray was how dependent on the three-time All-Star for offense. This new iteration will largely rely on defense when he sits without a true tablesetter behind him or elsewhere on the roster.
Bogdan Bogdanovic and Jalen Johnson are both better secondary and transition playmakers than running an offense in the halfcourt.
Fortunately for the Hawks, and despite concerns about his size, Young’s injuries have mostly been of the minor variety in his career. Here is a running list of every injury that has landed Young on the daily report in his career:
Trae Young's career injury history
February 24, 2024:
Finger
January 20, 2024:
Concussion
January 11, 2024:
Shoulder
January 9, 2024:
Shoulder
December 30, 2023:
Knee
December 25, 2023:
Shoulder
October 31, 2023:
Achilles
April 8, 2023:
Groin
March 24, 2023:
Calf
March 18, 2023:
Knee
March 2, 2023:
Groin
February 12, 2023:
Shoulder
January 30, 2023:
Ankle
January 19, 2023:
Ankle
January 15, 2023:
Shoulder
December 28, 2022:
Calf
December 12, 2022:
Back
December 2, 2022:
Shoulder
November 6, 2022:
Shin
November 2, 2022:
Eye
March 2, 2022:
Ankle
February 12, 2022:
Hip
January 31, 2022:
Shoulder
January 29, 2022:
Hip
January 4, 2022:
Back
December 4, 2021:
Knee
November 25, 2021:
Ankle
June 28, 2021:
Foot
June 19, 2021:
Shoulder
June 17, 2021:
Shoulder
June 15, 2021:
Shoulder
April 21, 2021:
Ankle
April 10, 2021:
Calf
April 2, 2021:
Knee
February 27, 2021:
Adductor
February 4, 2021:
Calf
January 31, 2021:
Knee
January 23, 2021:
Back
January 19, 2021:
Heel
January 16, 2021:
Back
January 10, 2021:
Wrist
December 31, 2020:
Calf
February 8, 2020:
Ankle
February 6, 2020:
Ankle
February 4, 2020:
Ankle and Elbow
February 2, 2020:
Ankle
January 22, 2020:
Hamstring
January 11, 2020:
Hamstring
December 27, 2019:
Ankle
November 26, 2019:
Ankle
October 29, 2019:
Ankle
October 20, 2018:
Elbow
Finger Injury Derailed Trae Young’s 2023-24 Campaign
While ankle and knee injuries have been most prevalent throughout Young’s career, it was the finger injury that cost him the most games on its own. Young underwent surgery on his pinky and sat out 23 games.
The Hawks went 12-11 during that span and were 22-32 with Young in the lineup, fueling speculation about his future in Atlanta.
Young is in Year 3 of a five-year, $215.1 million contract.
He does have a player option for the 2026-27 season, potentially putting a timeline on the Hawks’ window to figure out a winning formula. That could be key entering a 2024-25 season in which the Hawks are expected to take a step back.
Hawks’ Backup PG Situation in Focus
Young’s 2023-24 season was an aberration. He had averaged 70 appearances per season in his career to that point, surpassing that mark three times. He also appeared in no fewer than 60 games in that stretch.
While Young has generally been durable, the Hawks’ backup point guard situation is key, especially without Murray to keep things going like he did during that 12-11 run.
Dyson Daniels was a key piece from the Murray trade.
He figures to backup Young at point guard if not start alongside him or pull double duty. The Hawks also have 2023 first-round pick Kobe Bufkin, though he continues to be hampered by injuries.
Fourth-year forward Jalen Johnson and veteran swingman Bogdan Bogdanovic will also get plenty of on-ball reps.
There is still plenty at stake.
The Hawks had a minus-6.5 net efficiency differential without Young and Murray in 2023, per Cleaning The Glass. Figuring out how to keep the offense afloat without Young on the floor will be paramount to success in 2024-25.