Jun 27, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) sits on the bench prior to the game against the Milwaukee Bucks during game three of the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2021 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
After missing his second consecutive game due to a right foot injury, will Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young be cleared to play in Game 6?
The Atlanta Hawks have been without star Trae Young since Game 3, where he suffered a deep bone bruise in his right foot after accidentally stepping on the foot of a sideline official. The Hawks did manage to beat the odds and defeat the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4, but his absence was felt heavily in Game 5 on Thursday night, where they lost 123-112.
With their season on the line this Saturday for Game 6, will Young be healthy and cleared from his right foot injury?
Will Trae Young play in Game 6 vs. Bucks?
You can essentially expect Young to be a game-time decision leading into tipoff on Saturday. ESPN’s Malika Andrews did share a video of Young shooting the basketball prior to the start of Game 5, but he was ruled out shortly afterwards. Andrews and colleague Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Young will continue to rehab his right foot in hopes of being healthy enough for Game 6.
If Young is unable to go, Lou Williams will start at the point for the third consecutive game. In Game 4, Williams recorded 21 points (7-for-9 shooting from the field), 8 assists and 5 rebounds in 35 minutes of playing time. Williams posted 17 points (8-of-15 from the field), 5 assists, 2 rebounds and 6 turnovers in Game 5 on Thursday.
In the first three games of the Eastern Conference Finals, Young averaged 32.7 points, 6.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game while shooting 46.6 percent from the field and 28.7 percent from 3-point range.
The Hawks’ season hangs in the balance this Saturday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Hawks fans are certainly hoping that Young will be healthy and on the court to force a Game 7.