Is Trae Young playing tonight against the Spurs? Latest on Hawks guard's availability (Dec. 19)

Trae Young is currently leading the NBA in assists per game at 12.1, which is his career high. Young's scoring is down this season, but the Atlanta Hawks have a record of 14-13. He has been dealing with tendinitis, so is he playing on Thursday night against the San Antonio Spurs?

According to the latest report, Young is available to play after being listed as probable with tendinitis in his right Achilles. He has been dealing with it for a month now, but has only missed one game because of it. The upgrade comes right before tip-off after evaluating his condition.

There are six more players on the Hawks' injury report, all of whom are listed as out. Mouhamed Gueye, Seth Lundy and Keaton Wallace are on assignment in the NBA G League, while Cody Zeller is not with the team. Kobe Bufkin has a right shoulder injury and Onyeka Okungwu has left knee inflammation.

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What happened to Trae Young?

Trae Young has played in 26 out of the 27 games for the Atlanta Hawks this season so far. Young's only missed game was on Nov. 12 when he was diagnosed with tendinitis in his right Achilles. He has been listed as probable since then and has played through the injury.

Tendinitis is a condition that causes pain and tenderness in the tendons, which is a common injury in sports like basketball. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is managed with ice, compression, exercises and stretches. The Hawks' medical team is doing their best to maintain Young's health.

There are times during this season when Young appeared to lack a burst of speed and barely blew by slower defenders. His jump shot has also been affected although he was fantastic in their most recent game against the Milwaukee Bucks. He shot 50.0%, scoring 35 points and dishing out 10 assists.

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Trae Young's career stats vs. Spurs

In 12 games against the San Antonio Spurs in his career, Trae Young is averaging 26.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 9.9 assists and 1.2 steals. Young has a record of 7-5 versus San Antonio, who were linked to him this offseason.

The Spurs were a natural landing spot for Young if the Atlanta Hawks made him available for trade. He would have made a lethal combo with Victor Wembanyama, but San Antonio went on to sign Chris Paul in free agency.

Young may or may not take it personally, but his career-high against the Spurs is a 45-point performance on Nov. 30, 2023, in the Hawks' 137-135 win. He also had four rebounds, 14 assists and two steals in the game.

On the other hand, "Ice Trae" had his worst night versus San Antonio on March 19, 2023. He only scored nine points in Atlanta's 126-118 loss.