Surviving the Storm: Hawks’ Approach to Surviving Trae Young’s Absence

  • By Tim Ogles

    Last Updated on November 2, 2025 9:55 am by Tim Ogles | Published: November 2, 2025

    A Bright Sign from the Latest Win

    The Atlanta Hawks posted a strong 128-108 victory over the Indiana Pacers. The game offered hope and a blueprint for surviving in the absence of Trae Young who sustained a sprained MCL in his right knee on Oct. 29. He will be re-evaluated in four weeks.

    What stands out from the win:

    • The Hawks had seven players in double-digit scoring, showing balanced offensive production. 
    • They shot 54.3% from the field, a strong indicator of efficient execution even without their usual lead guard presence.
    • Atlanta dominated the third quarter, 34-17, to put the Pacers away.

    This performance gives a clear message. The Hawks can work without their star, provided they play collectively and lean on a few key adjustments.

    The Challenge Ahead

    Trae Young is the engine of Atlanta’s offense: creator, scorer, orchestrator. Losing him for any significant time means:

    • Reduced elite play-making and shot creation.
    • Likely less efficient spacing if the ball doesn’t move as well.
    • A psychological vacuum: opponents know he is out and will adjust accordingly.

    Survival is more than just plugging someone in his starting spot. It is about reshaping roles, leveraging depth, and embracing system over star for this stretch.

    Key Areas

    1. Increase Collective Ball Movement & Share Offensive Responsibility

    The Pacers game shows what happens when multiple guys step up. In Young’s absence, Atlanta must lean into:

    • More passing and movement rather than isolation shots.
    • Letting secondary players (off-ball cutters, drives, kick outs) make plays.
    • Encouraging bench and role players to initiate offense when necessary.

    Seven double-digit scorers against Indiana were significant, as scoring depth matters with Young on the sidelines.

    2. Defensive Focus & Limiting Opponent Opportunities

    In the win over Indiana, the Hawks outscored the Pacers, 74-38, in the paint. That kind of dominance inside helps when Atlanta lacks its usual offensive spark.
    The Hawks must:

    • Be more physical and protect the rim.
    • Crash the boards, especially offensively, to get extra possessions.
    • Control their pace: fewer transition shots, more set offense, less panic.

    3. Starters’ Offensive Workload Increases

    Young’s absence demands a next-man-up mentality. Four of the Hawks’ five starters scored at least 15 points against Indiana, demonstrating a willingness to share the rock:

    • Jalen Johnson had 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists. He shot an efficient 9-16 from the field, attacking the Pacers’ paint throughout the night.
    • Nickeil Alexander‑Walker drew the start in place of Young and delivered his best performance of the season. He scored a season-high 21 points.
    • Dyson Daniels has struggled to start the campaign. However, he totaled a season-best 18 points. The shots he missed around the rim to start the season finally fell through the net.
    • Kristaps Porziņģis added 15 points in his 23 minutes.

    4. Adjust Offensive Scheme to Players Available

    Without Young orchestrating, adjustments could include:

    • Utilize simpler sets involving off-ball screens and quick-hitting plays
    • Focus on finding mismatches for Johnson and Porziņģis.
    • Use shot creators capable of driving to the rim – Johnson, Porziņģis, and Daniels – to relieve pressure.
    • Emphasize early offense after rebounds or turnovers before the opposition sets up their half-court defense.
    • Space the floor and move the ball side-to-side to exploit mismatches rather than rely solely on isolation drives.

    Why the Win Over the Pacers Matters

    The victory in Indiana was not just an ordinary win. It demonstrated many of the elements above- balanced scoring, efficient offense, and tenacious defense. If the Hawks use that game as a template, they give themselves the best chance without their All-Star guard.

    Potential Pitfalls

    • Atlanta’s bench gets thinner due to Alexander-Walker’s new starting role. Head coach Quin Snyder likely leans on guards like Keaton Wallace, Vít Krejčí, and Luke Kennard to take more ball-handling responsibilities.
    • The Hawks shot 54.3% from the field against the Pacers. However, that number is unsustainable long-term. If they go cold, they need to win other areas of the contest, such as defense, hustle, and the glass.
    • Teams missing their star can experience more injuries or fatigue. Snyder must find a way to manage minutes efficiently and find a balance for Injury-prone players like Porziņģis.
    • Without Young dictating the pace, opposing teams might slow the game down to play in the halfcourt. The Hawks routinely struggled to score in these situations last season.

    Final Thought

    The Hawks face a significant challenge with Young off the floor, but the last game against the Pacers showed promise. If they share the rock, tighten defensively, empower role players, and adapt their scheme to their personnel, they can survive, and possibly thrive, during this stretch. If Atlanta builds on the performance in Indiana, it will come back as a deeper/resilient squad if/when Young returns.

    November 2, 2025, 9:55 am