Trae Young made his first appearance back in Atlanta on Tuesday night since being traded to the Washington Wizards last month, stirring strong emotions among fans. The point guard’s visit to his longtime home came at State Farm Arena, where he faced the unusual experience of using the visiting locker room as he continues healing from a sprained right knee and quadriceps contusion.
Young, who has not played in nearly two months, remains sidelined as he focuses on recovery, with the Wizards prioritizing a future draft pick over rushing his return. His presence off the court was felt deeply by the Atlanta crowd, underscoring the significance of his Atlanta legacy as he prepares for the next chapter of his career.
Adjusting to a new environment after years in Atlanta
Having spent eight years accustomed to the more spacious home locker room, Young found the visiting locker room unfamiliar.
“I’ve only been in the visiting locker room for concerts and stuff,”
Young admitted with a laugh.
“It is weird. It’s something I’ll have to get used to coming back here.”
This adjustment highlights the emotional and practical challenges that accompany the transition from a franchise cornerstone to a new team member.
Uncertain timeline for returning to action
Despite showing optimism about his health progress, Young remained cautious when asked about returning to play this season.
“I’m leaving it up to the doctors,”
he said.
“Just following the plan. The plan is going good so far. You never know.”
This measured stance reflects the Wizards’ careful approach in managing his rehabilitation while building for the future.
Reflecting on his impact and departure from Atlanta
Trae Young was once the face of the Hawks, earning four All-Star selections and leading Atlanta to a memorable Eastern Conference Final run in 2021. However, after several seasons without playoff success beyond the first round, the team opted to trade Young in early January for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert as they sought a new direction.
Young emphasized there are no resentments, expressing gratitude for his time in Atlanta.
“I just want Hawks fans to know how much love and appreciation I had for them from day one,”
he said.
“I came in and found a way to make a name for myself, make a name for my team. I tried to put this city on the map, where people talked about us.”
Still, he acknowledged it was time for change:
“When you’ve been there for so long, it kind of feels like your stay is not welcomed as much anymore. That’s OK, you know what I’m saying? That’s life, no matter what we do. We play a sport that’s not necessarily fair.”
Injuries and missed opportunities during his final season in Atlanta
Young pointed to injuries affecting both himself and the team as factors that hindered potential success. The Hawks had additions like Kristaps Porzingis to shore up weaknesses, but Porzingis appeared in only 17 games before being traded to the Golden State Warriors.
“I wasn’t healthy this year. KP was not healthy this year,”
Young remarked.
“There’s a lot of things we could’ve done. But that’s neither here nor there. That’s in the past. Everything happens for a reason.”
Hope and ambition in Washington’s rebuilding process
Looking forward, Young is eager to contribute to the Wizards’ promising future, which includes a healthy Anthony Davis acquired in another major trade, a group of talented young players, and a top lottery draft pick. His excitement about his new team contrasts with the bittersweet nature of leaving Atlanta behind.
Atlanta’s acknowledgement and good wishes for Young
Hawks coach Quin Snyder conveyed the organization’s appreciation for Young’s contributions over the years.
“Speaking on everyone’s behalf, we’re very appreciative of what Trae has done for our team and our franchise over the years,”
Snyder said.
“We’re grateful to him and his family for that. We just wish him well in this next phase of his career.”
Missing the chance to face former teammates on the court
Young had hoped to compete against the Hawks during his return to Atlanta but was unable due to his ongoing recovery.
“When I was doing the rehab, obviously I was hoping I could come back and play,”
he noted.
“I’m in a great spot right now. I wish I could play tonight, my first night here, but it wasn’t in God’s plans. But I’m going to be back playing here a lot in the future.”
During the game, Young stayed under the stands working on rehab exercises but joined the bench for a tribute video in the second quarter, where fans gave him a heartfelt standing ovation. In response, Young formed a heart symbol with his hands and silently mouthed “thank you” repeatedly, capturing the emotional magnitude of the moment.
A difficult farewell, yet a hopeful outlook
Acknowledging the emotional weight of his return, Young reflected,
“That is probably the one plus of playing right now, I can maybe get some emotions out of the way the first time and not be so emotional every time.”
This restrained yet intense expression encapsulates the turbulent feelings accompanying his transition from Atlanta, emphasizing both the end of an era and the start of a new journey with Washington.
