Falling to the Heats 117-111 in their previous matchup, the Atlanta Hawks will next host the Charlotte Hornets at the State Farm Arena in hopes of a firm stand. And heading into the clash, there arrives hopeful news for the Hawks fans. NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Hawks’ star point guard Trae Young inches closer to a return.

This news comes as a major boost for the Hawks, currently clinging to the coveted final Eastern Conference Play-In spot. More so, considering the team has been on a 3-game losing streak in the final stretch of the regular season. Young’s absence has been felt on the court, and the Hawks will look to make the most.

Trae Young injury update

Hours ahead of the game, Wojnarowski took to his X handle to share the news on the Hawks’ point guard. “Atlanta Hawks All-Star guard Trae Young is nearing a return and could play as soon as tonight vs. the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell ESPN,” he announced.

Trae Young, who averages 26.4 points, 10.8 assists, and 2.7 rebounds this season, underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left finger late in Feb. He has been sidelined since February 25 and the Hawks have missed Young’s firepower since then. Since his absence, the team has played 28 games and managed to win 14 of them. However, they did enough to secure a play-in-spot just before the Brooklyn Nets.

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It is expected that he might play tonight against the Charlotte Hornets but might see only fewer minutes. With the play-in tournament round the corner, his return could be a big boost to the Hawks. His presence will provide a scoring boost and stabilize the team’s offense. His leadership might also help the Hawks to navigate through the important conjunction of the season. In Young’s absence, Bogdan Bogdanović and Dejounte Murray have carried the offense. Bogdanović is averaging 16.8 points, 3.5 rebounds & 3.1 assists.

Predicted lineups: Hawks vs Hornets

The Atlanta Hawks, currently holding onto the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference, have been good offensively, scoring 118.6 points per game this season, which is 6th overall in the league. Whereas, they have conceded points at an average of 120.3 points per game, which is 28th overall in the league. The numbers would prompt the team to improvise on their defense as they head into the play-in. And this is how they could line up in the path towards it: Bogdan Bogdanović, Trae Young, Vit Krejci, Dejounte Murray, Clint Capela.

The Charlotte Hornets have had a forgettable season this year. They are holding onto the 13th seed in the Eastern Conference. And they have won just 2 matches out of their last 10. The team has scored points at an average of 106.4 per game, which is 29th overall in the league. Whereas they have conceded points at an average of 116.8 which is 22nd overall in the league. This is how they could line up tonight: Nick Richards, Brandon Miller, Tre Mann, Miles Bridges, Grant Williams.

Tonight’s matchup between the Hawks and Hornets promises to be a thrilling battle, with playoff implications hanging in the balance. The Hawks will look to benefit from Young’s return and stand in preperation of the demanding play-ins ahead.

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