Trae Young is close to returning from his MCL injury as the Hawks keep winning without him. Now Atlanta must blend its star back into a young core that believes.

The Atlanta Hawks have learned how quickly things can change as the NBA season progresses. Tray Young’s injury altered their plans, lineups, and rhythm. Yet the team did not slow down, as the Atlanta Hawks’ young core has been performing well even without Young. As games passed, new faces stepped up, and steady confidence grew inside the locker room. Now, with December moving quickly, the focus has shifted to how long this new rhythm can last once Trae Young returns.

On December 9, ESPN insider Shams Charania reported on Trae Young’s return later this month. The Atlanta Hawks had previously stated that Young would be re-evaluated in four weeks. A follow-up update on November 29 confirmed his rehab was progressing well.

Shams Charania said on ESPN, “Hawks star Trae Young, who sustained a sprained MCL on Oct. 29, is optimistic about returning to action this month, sources said. The Hawks have gone 12-8 without Young in the lineup, and they believe his fit with a rising core in Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Zaccharie Risacher and Onyeka Okongwu will elevate the team.”

Medical studies from the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy indicate that mild MCL sprains typically heal within four to six weeks. With his return now coming into view, Atlanta must begin the careful process of blending its star back into a lineup that has found new balance and confidence.

Trae Young’s Return Could Reshape The Hawks’ Rising Core

Trae Young (Image Credits: Imagn)
The Hawks found a new rhythm without their star on the floor. Players took on bigger roles. Confidence grew with each game. Now, the real challenge will be keeping that same balance when Trae Young returns.

Jalen Johnson is averaging 23.4 points per game, while rookie Zaccharie Risacher has scored with strong efficiency with 11.1 points per game, per NBA stats as of December 9, 2025. Fans believe Young’s passing will work well with defenders like Dyson Daniels and Onyeka Okongwu.

Trae Young’s return could lift Atlanta’s 15th-ranked offense and tighten their push up the standings. With Eastern Conference teams packed closely together, every win matters for Atlanta, who sit ninth on the leaderboard. How the Hawks blend their star back into a rising group may define their season ahead.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.