The Atlanta Hawks gear up to face the Detroit Pistons for a spot in the tight Eastern Conference. The Hawks sitting at 22-27, rank 9th in the conference, while the Pistons at 25-24, are slightly ahead in 7th. Atlanta has been struggling lately with an 8-game losing streak, whereas Detroit looks to build on their momentum after winning the last two of their games. As both teams prepare for this matchup, a big question looms: Will Trae Young be healthy enough to play tonight?

Heading into the game, the Hawks are dealing with multiple injuries. Starting with their star point guard, Trae Young who is listed as day-to-day due to his Achilles injury. Also, small guard, Bogdan Bogdanovic is out due to personal reasons, with an estimated return date of February 5th. Center Clint Capela is also out with a back injury.

Meanwhile, the Pistons come into the game with all of their players healthy and almost a full roster. They don’t have any major injury issues except for Jaden Ivey on their backcourt. The point guard has been out since the beginning of January after undergoing surgery for a broken fibula.

What does Trae Young’s potential absence mean for the Hawks?

Trae Young has been a driving force for the Hawks, averaging 22.8 points and 11.5 assists per game this season. His availability for the game is still uncertain, but his team is hopeful that he’ll suit up. However, if he’s unable to suit up, it could have a massive impact on the team’s offense. Young is known for his ability to stretch the floor, make clutch plays in the fourth quarter, and distribute the ball at a high rate. His injury is concerning for the Hawks as they have struggled without him in their previous games.

The Hawks are also missing key players such as Bogdan Bogdanovic and Clint Capela which further stretches their depth. Bogdanovic, averaging 10 points. 2.8 rebounds and 2 assists, provide scoring and playmaking off the bench. Whereas, Capela anchors the defense and provides rebounding, averaging at 9.8 points, 9 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. The Hawks’ recent performance has been concerning.

With a 2-8 record in their last 10 games, averaging 108.6 points while allowing 115, Atlanta’s field goal percentage has also dipped to 43.6% during this stretch. In contrast, Detroit has been a bit more consistent, but still, they’ve had their ups and downs. They’re 5-5 in their last 10 games, averaging 113.3 points and allowing 114. They’ve shot 46.7% from the field in those games.

Cade Cunningham leads the Pistons, averaging 25.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 9.4 assists. The team also get strong contributions from Tobias Harris averaging 12.9 points and 6.1 rebounds. The starting lineup for the upcoming has strong rebounding with Jalen Duren contributing 10 rebounds with Ausar Thompson providing 4.7 rebounds. The potential matchup between Cunningham and Young, if he plays, would be a key factor in determining the game’s outcome.

Depth Charts for both teams

Atlanta Hawks Depth Chart

Detroit Pistons Depth Chart

With a tough road ahead, the Atlanta Hawks will hope Trae Young to overcome his injury troubles. His presence could be the deciding factor in a game where they stand against an opponent like the Pistons. The question remains: will Young be able to return in time to give the Hawks an edge, or will Detroit capitalize on the undermanned Atlanta squad?