Trae Young's injury update & 2 other X-factors as Hawks host Knicks

It has been rough for the Atlanta Hawks on the injury front. And while there is still some way to go before they are back at full strength, they appear to be turning a corner.

The Hawks got starting 2-guard Dyson Daniels back two games ago against the New Orleans Pelicans. And Onyeka Okongwu returned in the Hawks’ last outing, a big loss to the Boston Celtics.

There was concern for Trae Young coming out of that contest after he left early with a rib injury.

However, the Hawks’ injury report provided hope that the three-time All-Star guard will be able to go despite the injury as his team hosts the Eastern Conference rival New York Knicks on Wednesday.

Trae Young’s health update encouraging for Hawks

The Hawks listed Young as “probable” for the contest, which is a good sign considering the nebulous nature of head coach Quin Snyder’s comments after the game.

“I'm not, honestly, the one to try to give you that information. I think what you've heard is what I've heard. He's been playing great. I went in here and banged on the table with you guys a couple games ago, and he's worn down right now,” Snyder told reporters on November 4 when asked for an update on Young’s status. 

“We got a lot of guys that they're competing, and that's all that you can ask.”

Young is having an incredible season, averaging 23.9 points, an NBA-leading and career-high 11.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds which is also a career-high.

The Hawks still have several key players out for a while yet like Bogdan Bogdanovic and Vit Krejci. But the injury report also revealed another encouraging bit of injury news, and it could have a ripple effect on the roster.

Hawks list De’Andre Hunter as ‘questionable’ for home date vs Knicks

De’Andre Hunter has missed the Hawks’ last six games, a fact underscored by how hot of a start he got off to in his two appearances this season. Hunter is averaging 18.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 2.0 APG this season, shooting 40% from beyond the arc. 

That last number is key for a Hawks team that ranks 18th in deep attempts per game and 21st in three-point efficiency.

Hunter has an extensive injury history, so caution is in order as he manages his knee.

However, his absence has been noticeable as a key part of why the Hawks’ perimeter defense has gone from looking like it could be serviceable to being as porous as it has been for several seasons when he was the lone stopper.

Now, he has Dyson Daniels to help him in the starting lineup, taking the point-of-attack burden off of Hunter who can focus solely on his wing assignments.

His return could also help Zaccharie Risacher, who has started every game Hunter has missed.

Zaccharie Risacher turning corner offensively

Risacher has looked good through eight games in just about every aspect except for his shooting. On the season, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft is averaging 9.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, and 1.1 APG while shooting 32.9% from the floor and is 8-for-38 (21.1%).

Risacher is also just a hair away from averaging 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals.

The truly encouraging part is that he is seemingly finding his range offensively, or at least what works for him right now. 

He has posted double-digit scoring performances in each of the Hawks’ last two outings. He is averaging 13.0 PPG, 4.0 boards, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in that span. The rookie has still been inefficient from deep, connecting on 18.2% of those looks.

However, Risacher’s overall efficiency is up to 35.7% in those two games.

He has incorporated more inside attempts into his arsenal. More than 47% of Risacher’s looks came from beyond the arc over his first six games.

That number is down to 39% over the last two games.

A healthier (i.e. more diverse) diet will make things easier on Risacher, whose shooting woes could have understandably taken a toll on the rookie’s mindset. Instead, in another encouraging sign, Risacher (and, most likely, the coaching staff) adapted.

The deep shots were not falling, get inside and get some easy looks. At 6-foot-10 in shoes, Risacher can get what he wants on the interior. 

He just has to want to and going back to a bench role could help take some pressure off of him.