Trae Young's injury update and two more X-factors as the Hawks host the Knicks

Things have been difficult for the Atlanta Hawks due to injuries. And while there's still a long way to go before they get back to full strength, it seems like they're turning a corner.

The Hawks got starting two guard Dyson Daniels back two games ago against the New Orleans Pelicans. And Onyeka Okongwu returned in the Hawks' last game, a big loss for the Boston Celtics.

There were concerns that Trae Young could be eliminated from this contest after he left early with a rib injury.

However, the Hawks' injury report gave hope that the three-time All-Star guard will be able to go despite the injury when his team hosts Eastern Conference rivals the New York Knicks on Wednesday.

The Hawks listed Young as “probable.” for the contest, which is a good sign given head coach Quin Snyder's nebulous comments after the game.

“Honestly, I’m not the one trying to give you this information. I think what you heard is what I heard. He played great. I went in here a few games ago and banged the table with you guys, and he's exhausted right now,” Snyder told reporters on Nov. 4 when asked for an update on Young's status.

“We have a lot of people competing and that’s all you can ask.”

Young is having an incredible season, averaging an NBA-leading 23.9 points and a career-high 11.0 assists and 4.4 rebounds, also a career-high.

The Hawks are still missing some key players like Bogdan Bogdanovic and Vit Krejci. But the injury report also revealed another piece of encouraging injury news that could impact the squad.

De'Andre Hunter has missed the Hawks' last six games, a fact highlighted by how well he has started in his two appearances this season. Hunter is averaging 18.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG and 2.0 APG this season while shooting 40% from distance.

That last number is key for a Hawks team that ranks 18th in high attempts per game and 21st in three-point efficiency.

Hunter has a long injury history, so caution is needed when handling his knee.

However, his absence has proven to be a big reason why the Hawks' perimeter defense has gone from looking like it could be serviceable to becoming as porous as it was in several seasons when he was the sole stopper .

Now he has Dyson Daniels to help him in the starting lineup, taking the burden of the point of attack off Hunter, who can focus solely on his wing duties.

His return could also help Zaccharie Risacher, who started every game Hunter missed.

Risacher has looked good in almost every aspect of the eight games except his shooting. This season, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft is averaging 9.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG and 1.1 APG while shooting 32.9% from the floor and 8-of-38 (21, 1%).

Risacher is also just shy of averaging 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals.

What's really encouraging about this is that he seems to be finding his range offensively, or at least what's working for him at the moment.

He scored double-digit points in each of the Hawks' last two games. During that span, he averaged 13.0 PPG, 4.0 boards, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals. The rookie was still inefficient from distance, scoring on 18.2% of those attempts.

However, Risacher's overall efficiency in these two games is up to 35.7%.

He has added more insider attempts to his arsenal. More than 47% of Risacher's appearances came from beyond the arc in his first six games.

That number has dropped to 39% in the last two games.

A healthier (i.e. more varied) diet will make things easier for Risacher, whose shooting issues may understandably have affected the rookie's mindset. Instead, Risacher (and most likely the coaching staff) adapted, which was another encouraging sign.

The deep shots didn't fall, go in and take a look. With a shoe size of 1.90 meters, Risacher can get what he wants inside.

He just has to want it and returning to the bench could help take the pressure off him.