Atlanta Hawks Embroiled In Drama After Trae Young Skips Game

Tensions are rising for the Atlanta Hawks after superstar Trae Young declined to show up for the team's game on Friday night after a dispute with head coach Nate McMillan. NBA Insider Shams Charania has the latest:

“…Trae Young actually wanted to play but when he was faced with these options, he chose not to show up to the arena…”@ShamsCharania on Trae Young’s exchange with Coach Nate McMillan leading him to not play on Friday#RunItBack with @MichelleDBeadle @ChandlerParsons @bansky pic.twitter.com/qiQjHuTUtl

— FanDuel TV (@FanDuelTV) December 5, 2022

"This is a unique situation because you have a star player who did not play in a game, and did not show up to the game."

He went on to explain it all had to do with a McMillan ultimatum.

"Nate McMillan has a policy where he wants players present at shootaround... Trae Young was dealing with a shoulder injury and he decided to not participate in shootaround, to focus on treatment. 

"As the day went on, he was given two options: to either play and come off the bench, or to not show up at the arena at all... I'm told Trae Young actually wanted to play, but when faced with these options, he chose not to show up."

Shams says this is only the tip of the iceberg of what's been going on within the ranks of the Hawks this season. 

"This is really a microcosm of the tension that I've heard has existed within this Hawks team, within ... the locker room at large...  It's gonna be on Trae Young and Nate McMillan to right the ship."

Charania insists that McMillan's job is safe. 

The Hawks are 13-10 this season, standing a surprising 4th in the Eastern Conference, though the standings are extremely bunched up.

Photo: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports