Nets' hunt for Play-In bolsters as star player is inactive due to surgery

Nets trail Trae-less Hawks with 3.5 games for the last Play-In berth.

© Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday, the Atlanta Hawks sustained unfortunate news as their star point man, Trae Young, will require a lengthy recovery for his upcoming surgery on a torn ligament in his finger.

While this is truly a devastating injury for the Hawks, this is meanwhile a blessing — basketball-wise — for the Brooklyn Nets as their chase for a Play-In spot gained a major boost.

Details behind Trae's injury and Hawks’ standing

Per reports from multiple sources, the three-time All-Star is set to be sidelined for at least a month of play, a significant timetable considering the team's current standing in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta is currently sitting at the East's 10th spot with a 25-32 record and is occupying the last Play-In slate.

Leading his team in points (26.4) and assists (10.8 assists), Trae serves as the main proponent and facilitator of the Hawks’ offense. He is also shooting 37.1 percent from three-point land.

What's now for Brooklyn?

As the Hawks will play out the next plenty of games without their leader and franchise star, it's now up for the Nets to be aggressive in stealing the East's final Play-In seat. Brooklyn (21-35), for its part, is trailing the Hawks and is 3.5 games behind for the said position as the Conference’s 11th-seeded squad.

With a small sample size of 2-3 record, Atlanta can actually stand on their own without Trae through Dejounte Murray’s production. Nevertheless, this won't take away the fact that they are about to miss their lead man's stellar presence, which the Nets truly need to capitalize on.

But for now, the Nets' goal to outmaneuver the Hawks for the last play-in bid requires the utmost urgency, as they have lost four straight games and eight of their last seven games. Interim coach Kevin Ollie is yet to enjoy his first head coaching win in his professional career.

With a fully active roster, the ball is now in the hands of the Nets to put themselves in a better position to compete.

GAME PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: Brooklyn Nets vs. Memphis Grizzlies