Report: Trae Young Skipped Game After Exchange With Hawks Coach Nate McMillan
The Atlanta Hawks seem to be in danger of disintegrating despite a strong start to the season. Hawks star Trae Young and coach Nate McMillan had a disagreement on Friday during a team shootaround, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic on Sunday. Young made the decision not to watch Atlanta’s game against the Denver Nuggets later that day as a result.
Trae Young, who is recovering from a shoulder ailment, did not want to take part in the shootaround and preferred to make his decision about playing later in the day, according to Charania. However, McMillan objected to this strategy and reportedly gave Young the choice to either play off the bench or not show up to the game. Young ultimately chose the latter, Charania says.
"You don't know the full story. …A private matter needs to stay private"
Trae Young got into it with this reporter 😳
(via @ZachkleinWSB)pic.twitter.com/jVA6jlhjPd
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 5, 2022
Trae Young Skipped the Game After Exchange With Hawks Coach Nate McMillan
Atlanta eventually defeated Denver 117-109 to improve their season record to 13-10. (fourth in the Eastern Conference). The two-time All-Star Young, who leads the Hawks with 27.8 points and 9.6 assists per game, only missed two games all season.
Trae Young chose to not play Friday’s game vs. Nuggets due to an exchange with HC Nate McMillan during shootaround, per @shamscharania
McMillan reportedly disagreed with Young's shoulder rehab approach and gave him the options to "play off the bench—or don't show up at all." pic.twitter.com/V4DnyoUqKW
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 4, 2022
McMillan is now on his 19th NBA head coach campaign. Atlanta’s performance under his leadership has been 83-60 (.560), and in 2021, he led Atlanta to the Eastern Conference Finals. However, it is probably important to remember that McMillan’s predecessor, McYoung, also had problems. Young was the Hawks’ franchise player.
REPORT: Trae Young brought up Nate McMillan's career average of 5.9 PPG in their verbal dispute. pic.twitter.com/ZM5NZisRTI
— Buttcrack Sports (@ButtCrackSports) December 5, 2022
Right shoulder pain was the reason the team declared him out, and McMillan informed reporters on Sunday that Trae Young’s absence was the result of a misunderstanding.
What this signifies for McMillan’s future has been a question on the minds of league executives who have heard about the Hawks’ problems. After serving as the Hawks’ interim head coach in 2021 and guiding the team to the Eastern Conference finals, McMillan agreed to a four-year deal to take over as the team’s permanent head coach.
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