Atlanta Hawks superstar Trae Young has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, and his latest comments on the team’s grueling schedule have caught the attention of fans and analysts alike. As the Hawks continue to navigate a challenging stretch of games, Young is opening up about the difficulties his team has faced—and how they plan to respond moving forward.
In a candid interview following a tough loss to a Western Conference contender, Young expressed his frustration and acknowledged the toll that Atlanta’s recent schedule has taken on the team. “It’s been a tough stretch, for sure. I don’t think anyone would try to sugarcoat it,” Young said, visibly exasperated. “We’ve been facing some of the best teams in the league, and it’s not easy. But at the same time, it’s part of the game. We’ve got to find a way to get through it.”
The Hawks’ schedule has indeed been brutal, featuring a series of matchups against playoff-bound teams, including heavyweights like the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and defending champions, the Denver Nuggets. On top of that, the Hawks have been hit with the challenge of traveling across time zones and playing multiple back-to-backs. With key players like De’Andre Hunter and Clint Capela dealing with minor injuries, the team’s depth has been put to the test.
Young didn’t mince words when reflecting on the Hawks’ performance during this stretch. While he noted some bright spots—such as the team’s ability to hang tough in several close games—he was also blunt about their struggles in crunch-time situations. “We’ve had games where we played well, but we can’t finish it. We can’t keep having these lapses in the fourth quarter and expect to win. The elite teams don’t give you that chance,” he said.
The Hawks, currently hovering around the .500 mark, have had a mixed bag of results, with some encouraging victories but more than a few disappointing losses. Young also expressed concern about the inconsistency on both ends of the floor, from defensive breakdowns to offensive misfires, particularly in high-stakes moments.
“We’ve got to be better defensively. We can score with anyone, but if we don’t lock down on the other end, it’s tough to win these games,” Young added. The Hawks have been giving up an average of 115 points per game during this tough stretch, a figure that ranks them among the worst in the league in defensive efficiency.
Despite the frustrations, Trae Young remains optimistic about the team’s potential to overcome this rough patch. The star point guard stressed the importance of maintaining focus and continuing to learn from each setback. “We’re not going to let this schedule define us,” he said. “We have to keep pushing, keep growing, and keep fighting.”
Young’s leadership has been evident through these tough times, with the 25-year-old averaging 26.4 points and 10.1 assists per game so far this season. However, with the team’s defense lagging behind and his teammates struggling with consistency, Young knows it will take more than just his individual brilliance to navigate this rough stretch.
“People are going to keep coming at us, and it’s up to us to respond,” Young said. “I know we can be better. We just have to do it. I have to do it too.”
The Hawks’ injury woes have added another layer of complexity to an already challenging schedule. Clint Capela, the team’s defensive anchor, has been playing through a nagging ankle injury, while De’Andre Hunter has missed several games with a knee issue. With both players key to the Hawks’ defensive identity, their absence has been noticeable.
Without Capela’s rim protection and Hunter’s ability to guard multiple positions, the Hawks have struggled to contain opposing offenses, especially against high-powered teams. On offense, Hunter’s scoring and defensive presence are missed, as well, leaving more pressure on Young and fellow star Dejounte Murray to pick up the slack.
“Having those guys healthy is huge for us,” Young admitted. “But even with injuries, we can’t make excuses. We need to keep fighting and stay focused on improving.”
This stretch of difficult games has raised questions about the Hawks’ long-term goals and identity. The team has been in playoff contention in recent seasons but has yet to make a deep run, and questions about their roster’s fit and depth persist. This season, with the Eastern Conference as stacked as ever, will be a true test of whether Atlanta has the tools to compete at the highest level.
“We’re trying to find our identity as a team,” Young said when asked about the Hawks’ approach to the season. “It’s not easy, but we have the pieces. Now it’s up to us to make it work. This stretch is going to test us, but I think we’re capable of coming out stronger on the other side.”
With the Eastern Conference full of heavy hitters like the Celtics, Bucks, and Sixers, the Hawks’ playoff aspirations are on the line. But Young’s transparency about the team’s struggles shows maturity, and it’s clear that he’s not giving up on the season just yet.
As the Hawks approach the next phase of their schedule, including matchups with teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, the pressure will be on for them to right the ship. The good news is that the season is still young, and a solid win streak could easily turn the tide for Atlanta, especially if they can improve their defensive consistency.
For now, all eyes will be on Trae Young and his leadership in the coming weeks. If the Hawks are to navigate this tough schedule and find a way back into the playoff conversation, they’ll need Young to continue being both the scoring dynamo and vocal leader he’s known for. As he said himself, “We’re not backing down. We’ve got to own our growth, take responsibility, and stay hungry.”
The next chapter of the Hawks’ season is unfolding now, and how they respond to these challenges will be key in shaping their trajectory for the rest of the year.
