Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks

Hawks guard Trae Young returns to action in starting lineup

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young returns to the starting lineup Thursday against the Hornets. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young returns to the starting lineup Thursday against the Hornets. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
By
Dec 18, 2025

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hawks guard Trae Young is back.

After a 22-game absence because of a right MCL sprain, the 26-year-old guard returned to the Hawks starting lineup Thursday.

Young will play on a minutes restriction in the Hawks’ matchup against the Hornets in Charlotte, but will start alongside Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu.

That means Hawks wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker will return to the bench for the first time since Oct. 31.

Thursday’s game marks the first of back-to-back games. Young likely will not play in Friday’s action against the Spurs at State Farm Arena.

About the Author

Follow Lauren Williams on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young celebrates after scoring a 3-point basket during the first half in a preseason NBA basketball game at State Farm Arena, Thursday, October 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Hawks guard Trae Young returns to practice, teases potential first game

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young practiced with the team Wednesday and may return to the rotation in the next 24 hours.

Trae Young feels 'amazing' after scoring 35 points. Now Hawks need to focus on healing their defense

Trae Young is quickly returning to his All-Star form after missing 21 games with a knee injury

Hawks two-way forward Eli Ndiaye to miss remainder of season

The forward, who was averaging 8.1 points and 6.9 rebounds for the G League's College Park Skyhawks, will have surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder.

The Latest

The Hawks lost their third straight game on Sunday to the Chicago Bulls, surrendering 152 points in the process. (Colin Hubbard/AP)

Credit: AP

Good, bad, ugly: Hawks ‘need to be better defensively’ after loss to Bulls

30-plus points from Young, Johnson can’t lift Hawks past Bulls

Hawks two-way forward Eli Ndiaye to miss remainder of season

Featured

This John Portman-designed house on Sea Island sold Dec. 2 for $30 million. (Courtesy of Bartolotti Media)

Credit: Courtesy of Bartolotti Media

Trump official, Fortune 500 CEO linked to purchase of $30M Sea Island retreat

Prominent Georgia couple Kelly Loeffler and Jeffrey Sprecher appear to be the mystery buyer of a striking Sea Island property.

Atlanta goes another year without completing citizen review of officer-involved deaths

Atlanta Citizen Review Board, tasked with investigating deaths and serious injuries in police custody, opened a handful of investigations in 2025 but still faces a backlog.

Coca-Cola is famous for its ads. Its first was in its hometown newspaper.

The beverage giant has created iconic ad campaigns and even shaped the modern image of Santa Claus.