The Atlanta Hawks are on a nosedive right now. After an impressive three-game winning streak, they have dropped the last four games. Since their 21 December loss to the Grizzlies, the team has dropped below .500. With a 22-23 record and ninth place in the Eastern Conference, it looks like the Hawks are about to hit a tough stretch of games.

Ahead of their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Hawks released their injury report. It looks like things just got a little worrying, and the big story here is Trae Young. Reports confirmed that he will miss the upcoming game due to hamstring tightness. Young has been the driving force behind the Hawks’ offense this season, and this marks his fourth absence of the season.

His absence is a huge blow for Atlanta, as he has played in 42 of the 45 games the team has played this year. In addition to contributing 22.8 points to the team, he made 11.5 assists, which is the highest in the league. Trae’s ability to create plays and score points is super important to the Hawks’ play. Without him, they’re going to have to seriously rethink their game plan and hope other guys can step up.

While Trae has been a key figure for the Hawks, Atlanta has shown they can manage without him in the lineup. In the three games he missed, the Hawks put solid performances with a 2-1 record. But those wins haven’t been easy, and going up against a team like the Timberwolves with Anthony Edwards makes the task even tougher.

What’s next for Atlanta without Trae Young?

But let’s look at the bigger picture beyond just Trae Young’s injury. This game is a matchup between two teams heading in different directions. The Timberwolves are coming off a massive 133-104 win against the Nuggets. They really show what they’re capable of on both ends of the floor.  As head coach Mike Conley pointed out a big key for them is “not getting bored of doing the right thing.“

The Timberwolves have now won two straight games and currently hold a 24-21 record. This puts them in the seventh spot in the Western Conference. Their win against Denver really highlighted how good the team can be, especially with Anthony Edwards. He’s averaging 26.3 points, 4.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds a game. Minnesota has been quite solid at home with an 11-10 record.

On the other side, the Hawks have hit a rough patch, and it’s not just Trae they’re missing. Jalen Johnson is out with a shoulder injury, and De’Andre Hunter is questionable with an illness. They’re also waiting on Zaccharie Risacher, who’s questionable with an adductor sprain. Their coach, Quin Snyder, mentioned how these injuries have forced players into “unfamiliar situations,” which has led to some struggles.

As the Hawks gear up for the faceoff, their chances of success will depend on the collective effort. It’ll be interesting to see how they adapt but it’s going to be a big game for both teams.