Martin Luther King Jr. Day is synonymous with Atlanta, Georgia, as its namesake of the civil rights legend origin of birth. However, it’s also the home of the Atlanta Hawks, led by star point Trae Young. On Monday, the New York Knicks host the Hawks, but the contentious matchup is in danger; the Knicks vs. Hawks injury report features a Madison Square Garden villain.
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Young has played 38 out of 41 games for the Hawks during the 2024-25 season. Monday’s injury report lists New York’s nemesis as “probable” due to right Achilles tendinitis.
Yet, despite Young’s placement on such a report, he will unlikely miss the opportunity to play against the team he loves to beat.
Meanwhile, the Knicks have a few significant players who cause legitimate concern for missing Monday’s matchup.
Star center Karl-Anthony Towns has a sprain in his right thumb, which could keep him out of the prestigious NBA event. Towns scored 19 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in the Knicks’ 108-100 loss to the Hawks on Dec. 8. Without Towns, the Knicks lack the size and versatility necessary to combat the Hawks’ athletic weapons.
UPDATE: Towns will suit up against the Hawks on Monday.
Ultimately, the Knicks can beat the Hawks, but given that the game is at Madison Square Garden, Young possibly suiting up bodes well for another stressful contest for the New York franchise.
Knicks vs. Hawks Injury Report
New York Knicks
- Josh Hart (QUESTIONABLE – neck)
- Kevin McCullar Jr. (OUT – G League)
- Mitchell Robinson (OUT – left ankle)
- Karl-Anthony Towns (AVAILABLE -right thumb)
Atlanta Hawks
- Kobe Bufkin (OUT -right shoulder)
- Mouhammed Gueye (OUT – G League)
- Jalen Johnson (PROBABLE – right shoulder)
- Larry Nance Jr. (OUT – right hand)
- Zaccharie Risacher (OUT -left adductor)
- Keaton Wallace (OUT – G League)
- Trae Young (PROBABLE – right Achilles)
- Cody Zeller OUT – not with team)
