ATLANTA (AP) — All-Star point guard Trae Young returned to the starting lineup for the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night against the Charlotte Hornets after missing 23 games with a torn ligament on his left pinky.
Young’s return comes with just three games remaining in the regular season. Young was injured on February 23rd and underwent surgery on February 27th. It was approved for practice Monday.
Young wore a black wrap on his left hand that covered the surgically repaired finger. He gave the first indication that the wrap wouldn’t affect his shooting when he he sank a long shot while sitting on the Hawks bench during pregame drills.
Hawks coach Quin Snyder said Young’s minutes will be limited against the Hornets as Young prepares for the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.
“It’s more to do with fatigue than anything else,” Snyder said. “He has been cleared to play. Anyone who’s had an injury or surgery or whatever, there’s always a mental thing to contend with.”
The Hawks are currently 10th in the East. They hold the final play-in tournament spot, one game behind No. 9 Chicago.
“We don’t necessarily control our destiny with this, but we can do what we can,” Snyder said of the race for the No. 9 seed and home field advantage in the first play-in tournament game.
“More than anything, it’s important to play well and be as healthy as we can as well.”
Young leads Atlanta with 26.4 points and 10.8 assists per game. The Hawks have been limited by a long injury list and will be without guard Dejounte Murray (right quad contusion) and forwards De’Andre Hunter (rest) and Jalen Johnson (sprained right ankle) against Charlotte.
Snyder’s goal is to have as many players healthy as possible for the play-in tournament and have Young ready for his regular role.
“The biggest thing is it’s great to have him back and he’s excited to play.” Snyder said. “How we manage those other things, sometimes it’s just time, not only for the group but for Trae to find his rhythm. This is a natural part of giving back.”