Trae Young Eyes December Return as Atlanta Hawks Thrive

Trae Young is "optimistic" he can return in December after spraining his right MCL and has not played since Oct. 29. Atlanta has gone 12 wins and 8 losses without him, with Jalen Johnson stepping up as primary facilitator at a team high 8.7 assists and 24.1 points, while Nickeil Alexander Walker is contributing 21.9 points. That unexpected balance means slipping Young back into the rotation will not be plug and play. Merlin sees a delicate test ahead. Quin Snyder has found a working formula and inserting a ball dominant scorer will require tactical tweaks. The Hawks "believe [Young's] fit with a rising core in Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander Walker, Zaccharie Risacher and Onyeka Okongwu will elevate the team." If Young returns healthy he raises the ceiling, but mistimed reintegration could knock the club off its stride.