Trae Young will have to wait longer before making his debut for the Washington Wizards, with the star guard not expected to take the court until at least after the NBA All-Star break. Young was acquired by the Wizards last Friday in a high-profile trade with the Atlanta Hawks, but ongoing injury issues have delayed his first appearance in a Wizards uniform.
The 25-year-old guard is currently recovering from a sprained right knee and a bruised quadriceps, injuries that have prevented him from playing since the trade. Washington sent CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to Atlanta as part of the deal, signaling a major shift in direction for the franchise. However, Wizards fans will have to remain patient as the team prioritizes Young’s recovery.
“Our priority for him is his health. That’s No. 1,” Wizards coach Brian Keefe said on Wednesday before Washington’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers. “Obviously, we’re going to trust the process with our medical and performance teams. The only thing I have is that we are going to reevaluate him after the break.”
Young has traveled with the Wizards on their current West Coast road trip, but the team has made it clear there is no intention to rush him back into action. The situation mirrors a notable case from last season, when Luka Doncic was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers on February 2. Doncic made his Lakers debut eight days later after recovering from a calf injury he sustained on Christmas while still with Dallas.
Young’s limited availability this season has been a concern. He played in just 10 games for the Hawks, averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists. Despite the shortened campaign, his overall NBA résumé remains impressive. The four-time All-Star has averaged 25.2 points and 9.8 assists across 493 games over seven seasons with Atlanta, establishing himself as one of the league’s most productive offensive guards.
For the Wizards, the hope is that patience will pay off. While the wait for Young’s debut continues, the franchise is focused on ensuring their new cornerstone is fully healthy before beginning the next chapter of his NBA career in Washington.
