Both the Atlanta Hawks and San Antonio Spurs will be decimated by injuries Thursday night. Trae Young remains sidelined with a right knee MCL sprain. Victor Wembanyama misses his third consecutive game with a left calf strain. Yet both teams keep winning anyway at Frost Bank Center.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Trae Young injured Oct. 29 and likely out through November
- Hawks won 5 straight games without their star guard
- Wembanyama suffered calf strain in Nov. 14 loss to Warriors
- Spurs won 2 straight despite missing their franchise star
- Game tips at 8:00 PM ET on NBATV
What Happened to These Stars
Trae Young suffered his right knee MCL sprain on October 29 in a Hawks game. The injury has kept him sidelined ever since. ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Young will be re-evaluated in four weeks. He’s expected to remain out through the entire month of November.
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Despite losing their franchise player, the Hawks have thrived. Atlanta has won five consecutive games on the road. The team’s depth has been exposed as a strength instead of weakness. Role players like Jalen Johnson have stepped up significantly.
Victor Wembanyama suffered his left calf strain during the Spurs’ 109-107 loss to the Golden State Warriors on November 14. The MRI confirmed the injury. Team doctors expect him to miss 2-3 weeks from that date. San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson noted the injury was progressive.
The Spurs have won two straight games without Wembanyama on the court. Devin Vassell and De’Aaron Fox have filled the void effectively. The team has shown it can compete without its star center.
Why This Matters for Thursday
This matchup features one of the most unusual NBA storylines. Both teams are supposed to collapse without their stars. Instead, both are winning. The Hawks sit at 9-6 on the season. The Spurs maintain a 10-4 record.
Atlanta arrives in San Antonio on a four-game road winning streak. The Hawks proved they can attack without Young running the offense. De’Andre Murray and role players have taken scoring loads. Defense has tightened considerably.
San Antonio has won its last two games and sits atop its division. The Spurs showed they can execute without Wembanyama’s defensive presence. The young team has grown more resilient. Harrison Barnes and role-playing centers have stepped in.
The Frost Bank Center will host a game between two teams proving doubters wrong. Injuries haven’t derailed either squad from competing hard. This contest matters for playoff positioning and confidence.
Complete Injury Reports for Both Teams
The Hawks have significant depth concerns heading into Thursday’s game. Beyond Trae Young, Kristaps Porzingis is listed as day-to-day with right knee soreness. Zaccharie Risacher is also day-to-day with a left hip strain.
| Team | Out Players | Status | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawks | Trae Young | Right Knee MCL Sprain | 4 weeks (Dec. approx) |
| Spurs | Victor Wembanyama | Left Calf Strain | 2-3 weeks (late Nov) |
| Hawks | Kristaps Porzingis | Right Knee Soreness | Day-to-Day |
| Spurs | Dylan Harper | Calf Injury | Out |
The Spurs also have Dylan Harper out on the injured list with a calf injury. Stephon Castle is day-to-day with a hip issue. Despite the injuries, both rosters have adapted well.
Key Storylines to Monitor
- Can the Hawks extend their road winning streak to five games?
- Will Jalen Johnson continue his breakout performance without Young?
- Can the Spurs make it three straight wins without Wembanyama?
- How will San Antonio handle the Hawks’s offense without Young?
- Will Harrison Barnes stay aggressive for the Spurs?
Can Depth Actually Trump Star Power This Season?
This game answers a fundamental basketball question. Can team depth really beat star talent? The Hawks have shown yes through five straight wins. The Spurs have shown yes through two consecutive victories.
Both organizations drafted well and built solid rosters. Supporting players have stepped into expanded roles. Chemistry has improved despite losing franchise players. Atlanta and San Antonio challenge conventional basketball wisdom.
Thursday’s game will add another chapter to this remarkable story. Two teams missing their best players are competing at high levels. Whoever plays better team basketball in San Antonio will likely prevail. Will depth continue to trump star power at Frost Bank Center?
Sources
- ESPN – Trae Young and Victor Wembanyama injury reports
- NBA.com – Official game information and team records
- Sports Illustrated – Hawks injury updates and game preview
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.