Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Younger has been the breakout huge title of this postseason, but in Game 3 of the Jap Conference finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, he added an miserable merchandise to his rising listing of accolades: the strangest wreck of the playoffs.
Late within the third quarter, Younger changed into once alongside the sideline and tried to throw a circulate that changed into once deflected by Jrue Holiday. As he grew to changed into to take a uncover about at and inch benefit on defense, Younger stepped benefit well suited onto the referee’s foot. He sprained his ankle within the formulation and stayed down till play changed into once stopped.
After a short evaluation, Younger made his approach to the locker room with the Hawks’ medical workers. Fortunately he changed into once walking with out too much pain and returned to the bench early within the fourth quarter. He changed into once diagnosed with an ankle sprain and given the all clear to come to the game. That’s a astronomical negate of reduction for Younger and the Hawks, as any excessive wreck to their huge title would bask in put them at a paunchy drawback engaging forward. Unexcited, Atlanta ended up shedding to Milwaukee 113-102 in Game 3.
Younger, who acknowledged after the game that his ankle changed into once “sore” and “hurting,” will maintain an MRI on Monday to uncover the severity of the sprain. He acknowledged he plans to play in Game 4, but will salvage “as much remedy as I will” sooner than Tuesday night.
Younger has been paunchy within the playoffs, as he is led the Hawks to the conference finals for the first time since 2016. With a career-high 48 parts in Game 1, Younger helped the Hawks salvage their first conference finals eradicate since they moved to Atlanta arrangement benefit in 1968.
Along with his quickness, playmaking and skill to rep in any admire three ranges, Younger has been the motive force within the benefit of the Hawks’ surprise success. Heading into Game 3 of the ECF, he had either scored or assisted on 50.5 p.c of the Hawks’ made field targets. But it hasn’t true been his exact manufacturing that’s made a distinction. Younger’s self belief and willingness to step up in astronomical moments is infectious and has been an integral portion of the Hawks’ success.
