After averaging 26.4 points in 36.5 minutes per game during his first 51 contests this season, Hawks guard Trae Young scored 15.0 PPG while playing 26.6 MPG in three games last week upon returning from hand surgery.
Having gotten a few appearances under his belt down the stretch, Young is hoping to see his usual playing time — and provide his usual production — in Wednesday’s play-in game vs. Chicago, according to Charles Odum of The Associated Press.
“I feel a lot better,” Young told reporters after practicing on Monday. “I’m just trying to make sure I can play at least close to my minutes that I played in the regular season in play-in games.”
Young logged fewer than 21 minutes last Wednesday in his first game back, but bumped that figure to 27 minutes on Friday and nearly 32 in Sunday’s regular-season finale.
As long as he can handle the increased workload, the Hawks figure to lean heavily on him, since they’ll be missing key rotation players like Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu and Saddiq Bey due to injuries. Even on the road, without those teammates available, Young feels good about Atlanta’s chances.
“Obviously you just play the cards you’re dealt,” Young said. “… That’s just my mentality. You know I feel like we can still win with the players we have, so I’m going to go out there and try to do it.”
Here’s more on Young:
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!