The Hawks just got punched in the mouth—hard. That 120-95 blowout loss to the Magic wasn’t just ugly, it was a wake-up call. And now? They’re clinging to their playoff hopes by a thread. Things really boiled over late in the fourth. Trae Young knocked down a tough floater with 4:48 left, trimming the lead to 20—not exactly comeback territory, but still. Then, boom.
Out of nowhere, he zipped the ball toward crew chief James Williams. That didn’t go over well. Williams slapped him with a tech on the spot, and a second technical came right after. Just like that, Young was ejected. Now the Hawks are staring down the barrel of a do-or-die game. And it’s not just any opponent—it’s the Miami Heat, who’ve been heating up at exactly the wrong time (for Atlanta, that is).
Young’s name popped up on the injury report again. He’s listed as probable for Friday’s do-or-die clash with the Heat, according to Atlanta Hawks’ official X account. Despite nursing an Achilles issue, Trae’s laced ‘em up for 76 games, which is kinda wild in a season where half the league sat out with “precautionary” injuries.
He’s been the heart of Atlanta’s offense, plain and simple. That 28-point showing in the loss to Orlando? Just another reminder that the man’s still a bucket, even when things aren’t going the Hawks’ way. And this isn’t just volume scoring either—he’s doing it while dishing 11.6 assists per night. That’s the highest in the league. His full line this season? 24.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 36 minutes a night.
Apart from Young, Clint Capela’s has been ruled out for Friday’s game against the Heat after missing 18 straight games with a sprained left hand. Without him, Atlanta faces a tough challenge, especially after Miami’s dominant performance in the paint against Chicago. Capela’s presence could’ve been critical in stopping Miami’s inside game.
The Hawks are already dealing with season-ending injuries to Larry Nance Jr. (knee fracture) and Jalen Johnson (torn shoulder labrum), further thinning their lineup. To make matters worse, sophomore Kobe Bufkin is also sidelined for shoulder surgery.
An @emoryhealthcare injury report for tomorrow’s game vs. Miami:
Trae Young (right Achilles tendinitis): Probable
Kobe Bufkin (right shoulder surgery): Out
Clint Capela (left fourth metacarpal ligament sprain): Out
Jalen Johnson (left shoulder surgery): Out
Larry Nance Jr.… pic.twitter.com/dtKCKr5wkT
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 17, 2025
But unless you see Ice Trae in a walking boot, expect him out there Friday when the Hawks take on a red-hot Miami squad. Now here’s where things get interesting—the Heat are laser-focused on stopping him.
The Heat need to stop Trae Young if they want the playoff spot
Miami didn’t just beat Chicago—they smothered them. That 109-90 blowout? It was all about defense. The Bulls couldn’t buy a bucket, shooting a lousy 39.8% from the floor and just 27% from deep. The Heat owned the glass too, snagging 45 rebounds to the Bulls’ 38. Every hustle play? Miami was first to it. You could feel the urgency—they played like they knew it was win or go home.
And Erik Spoelstra made it clear afterward. “We imposed a will defensively and competitively,” he said. That’s the blueprint. The Heat aren’t switching things up for Atlanta; they’re just locking in harder. Sure, they’ll adjust for the Hawks’ personnel, but the heart of the plan stays the same—grind it out on defense and let the offense come naturally.
Even Andrew Wiggins echoed the mindset: “We locked in defensively. This has to carry over to Atlanta…” Translation? Same intensity, different opponent.
Dec 11, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) drives to the basket against New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and forward Mikal Bridges (25) as Hawks center Clint Capela (15) sets a pick during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
But here’s the catch—Trae Young isn’t some random name off the Hawks bench. He’s slick, fast, and knows how to carve up defenses. Miami can’t afford a second of slippage. If they blink, Young will make them pay.
So, can the Heat bring that same fire again? If they do, they’re headed back to the playoffs. But if Trae gets hot? We could be looking at another Hawks upset. Either way, buckle up—this one’s gonna be wild.
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