Injury Report: Atlanta Hawks vs Miami Heat

The Atlanta Hawks are starting the last week of the regular season tomorrow with a matchup against the Miami Heat, and they will still be without their star point guard Trae Young.

Saddiq Bey (left knee torn ACL), AJ Griffin (right ankle sprain), Seth Lundy (left ankle soreness), Onyeka Okongwu (left big toe sprain), and Trae Young (left fifth finger torn ligament) are all out for tomorrow's game vs the Heat.

An @emoryhealthcare injury report for tomorrow’s game vs. Miami:

Saddiq Bey (left knee torn ACL): Out
AJ Griffin (right ankle sprain): Out
Seth Lundy (left ankle soreness): Out
Onyeka Okongwu (left big toe sprain): Out
Trae Young (left fifth finger torn ligament): Out pic.twitter.com/x90pepVre6
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 8, 2024

Atlanta provided an update on Young today and it was encouraging:

"Guard Trae Young, who sustained a left fifth finger torn ligament on Feb. 23, underwent surgery on Feb. 27. He had his six-week follow-up evaluation earlier today and has been cleared for team practice and contact."

This is big news because it could mean a return to the court for Young very soon, maybe even Wednesday vs the Hornets. The Hawks begin their final week of the regular season tomorrow with a home matchup against the Miami Heat and the Hawks are trying to catch the Chicago Bulls for the No. 9 spot in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta is currently one game behind the Bulls with four games to play.

On the latest episode of his podcast "From the Point" (partnered with Bleacher Report), Young talked about his injury and gave a little glimpse at when he could be returning and it might not be long before that happens:

"It's getting better, I am getting close to making a fist again, then I can get on the court and do some ball-handling stuff. If I wasn't a point guard that needed both of my hands to dribble my hands, then I probably would have been able to come back maybe this week."

Young was then asked when he might be back on the court:

"I got another with the doctor next Monday. Hopefully, at that point with my rehab, I've been doing rehab every Monday with Mo and making sure my hand is right even faster. Hopefully next week I can make a fist and I can get out of this cast and then I can play. Hopefully next week."

Atlanta has been treading water since Young went down with his injury. They are 12-10 and have some impressive wins, but inconsistent performance. Atlanta won two games vs the Celtics at home, but they looked like they had really missed Young in losses to the Mavericks and the Nuggets. While Dejounte Murray has been really good, Atlanta misses Young's playmaking ability. It would be huge if he could come back in time for the play-in tournament and help the Hawks make a run to the playoffs.

Keep an eye out for further updates on Young and any other players.