Video: Pierce Discusses Young's Ankle, Spurs, and More

The Hawks have enjoyed four days off between last Thursday's action and Tuesday night's game against San Antonio, and the break couldn't have come at a better time. Trae Young, who missed the last game with a sprained right ankle, used the downtime to rehab his injury while the rest of the team rested and prepared for a date with one of the most disciplined and difficult teams in the NBA.

All indications seem to indicate that Young will play on Tuesday, though neither he nor head coach Lloyd Pierce would give a definitive answer. The Hawks have their second back-to-back of the season on Wednesday and three games in the next four days, and while there is currently no plan to limit Young's availability in either game, he could take a few games to work his way back up to speed.

Pierce spoke to the media Monday afternoon in Atlanta about Young's ankle and the task of facing the Spurs, who enter Tuesday night with a 4-2 record on the season. Among the various challenges of playing San Antonio, Pierce highlighted the guard play of Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, and Patty Mills, all of whom are capable, energetic two-way players.

"[Murray] is one of the next great wings," Pierce said. "His whole DNA is built on disruption.

"The guys they bring off the bench, in a lot of ways, are the ones that get the engine going. Patty Mills and Derrick White, guys that have been in their system for a while, are even harder to guard. Which is why they're the Spurs."

Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 on Tuesday night at State Farm Arena.