Hawks star Trae Young diagnosed with lateral ankle sprain

Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young has been diagnosed with a lateral left ankle sprain, the NBA franchise announced on Thursday.

Young hurt his ankle during Wednesday's 137-127 loss to the New York Knicks, having posted 20 points and 14 assists before exiting in the third quarter.

Ruled out for Atlanta's next two games, Young's injury status will be updated.

Young has been averaging 25.3 points, a career-high 9.6 assists – only bettered by Russell Westbrook (10.9) and James Harden (10.9) in 2020-21 – and 3.9 rebounds per game for the high-flying Hawks this season.

An @emoryhealthcare injury update:Following an MRI today at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex, Trae Young was diagnosed with a lateral left ankle sprain. He will be listed as out for our next two games, and his status will be updated as appropriate. pic.twitter.com/LajuNj00QD
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 22, 2021

The 2020 All-Star (516) is only second to Washington Wizards star Westbrook (557) for total assists this term.

Young has helped the Hawks (32-27) catapult themselves into the playoff picture, with Atlanta fifth in the Eastern Conference.