ATLANTA — Atlanta Hawks All-Star guard Trae Young, who has missed 22 games since suffering a torn ligament in his left fifth finger, is moving closer to his return.
The Hawks announced Monday that Young has been cleared for practice and contact. He had surgery Feb. 27 after his injury four days earlier and was cleared after his six-week evaluation.
Young, who made his third All-Star team this season, leads the Hawks with 26.4 points and 10.8 assists per game.
Despite Young’s extended absence, the Hawks have retained the No. 10 position in the Eastern Conference, one game behind the No. 9 Chicago Bulls, leaving them with the last spot in the play-in tournament. The teams will meet in the tournament April 17 with home court still to be determined.
Dejounte Murray has handled primary ballhandling duties in Young’s absence and is second on the team with averages of 22.4 points and 6.4 assists.
