Trae Young, the Washington Wizards' new point guard, will sit out games until after the All-Star break in mid-February. He is dealing with a sprained MCL and a quad contusion in his right leg. The team got him in a trade last week and plans to check his condition again once the break ends. This keeps him from making his debut with Washington for now.
Background
The Wizards sit at 10 wins and 28 losses this season. That puts them near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The team has struggled for years, but signs point to change. They traded for Young to build around him as a key player. He brings skill as a scorer and passer from his time with the Atlanta Hawks.
Young got hurt back in late October. He sprained his right MCL then. That kept him out for 22 straight games. He came back in mid-December and played in five of Atlanta's next six games. Then a quad contusion hit him in his right leg. That sidelined him for his last six games with the Hawks.
Washington made the trade knowing about these injuries. The deal happened last week. Reports at the time said Young would see limited action this season. The focus stays on his health for next year and beyond. The Wizards hold a top-eight protected first-round pick in the 2026 draft. They want to keep their spot high in the lottery.
The Eastern Conference looks weak this year. Even so, Washington's record shows their place. Young has not played a minute for them yet. Without him, the team keeps losing games. This fits their plan to stay low in the standings.
Young has a history of strong play. In past seasons with Atlanta, he averaged high points and assists. Fans see him as the guard who can lead the Wizards forward. His arrival marks a shift from years of rebuilding. The franchise has not reached the conference finals in over 40 years.
Key Details
Young's injuries affect the same right leg. The MCL sprain happened first. That is a ligament in the knee. The quad contusion is a bruise in the thigh muscle. Both need time to heal fully.
The Wizards take a careful path with him. They list him as out on the latest injury report. No set return date exists yet. Reevaluation comes after the All-Star break. That event happens in mid-February. This means he misses at least the next 15 games.
Timeline of Injuries and Trade
- Late October: Sprains right MCL, misses 22 games.
- Mid-December: Returns for five games.
- Late December: Suffers quad contusion, misses six games.
- Last week: Traded to Wizards.
- Now: Out through All-Star break.
Players like Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington fill in at guard. They push for more minutes without Young. The team stays focused on development. Wins matter less than health and draft position right now.
"Young is still recovering from MCL and quad injuries on the same leg… re-evaluated after the mid-February All-Star break." – Team insider report
The NBA watches cases like this. Young already came back from the MCL sprain once. A contusion usually does not last so long. But the team plays it safe.
What This Means
Young's absence delays his impact on the Wizards. The team counts on him to change their fortunes. Without him, they keep their poor record. This helps their chances at a high draft pick next summer.
For the 2025-26 season, limited play from Young makes sense. Washington eyes the future. A healthy Young next year could pair with young talents on the roster. Players like Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr show promise.
Fans wait for his debut. It brings hope after tough years. The Wizards aim to end their long playoff dry spell. Young's skills fit as a franchise player. His recovery sets the pace.
The break gives extra rest time. Doctors and trainers monitor progress daily. Once cleared, Young starts with limited minutes. This builds him up slowly.
Other teams deal with injuries too. The Wizards join that group. Their approach matches league trends for star players. Long-term success trumps short-term wins in a rebuild.
Young stays active in recovery. He works out away from games. Teammates support him during this wait. The locker room builds chemistry without him on the court.
This news came mid-week. It lines up with the official injury report from January 14. No big changes expected soon. The plan holds steady.
