The Trae Young experience in Washington, D.C. unofficially began earlier this week, when the 6-foot-2 point guard earned his first ejection from the bench before ever playing a minute for his new team. Now comes his first game for the Washington Wizards.
Young appears ready to make his debut for a new NBA team after the Atlanta Hawks traded him to Washington in January. The 27-year-old has not played in an NBA game in more than two months due to injury, and the Wizards’ years-long rebuild and tanking tendencies didn’t necessitate a hasty return.
But Young offered recent hints he was closing in on playing again this season and there are indications his first game with the Wizards could be as early as their matchup against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, March 5 in D.C.
Here’s a breakdown of Trae Young’s injury status and situation heading into Thursday’s game between the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz:
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Is Trae Young playing today?
Yes, Young is expected to make his Wizards debut in Thursday’s home game against the Utah Jazz. Young was not listed on the Wizards’ injury report when it was released on Wednesday and he indicated March 5 as the date of his return in a recent social media post. Wizards coach Brian Keefe told reporters Young would be restricted to 17-20 minutes, mostly in the first half.
Trae Young injury update
Young’s debut with the Wizards would be his first NBA game since Dec. 27. He has been out with knee and quad injuries initially suffered with the Hawks.
Young was listed on the team’s official injury report as dealing with an MCL sprain and thigh bruise. The Wizards announced last month that Young had started to ramp up basketball activities coming out of the NBA All-Star break.
Trae Young stats
Young, in his eighth NBA season, is averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists in 10 games with the Hawks. He is shooting 41.5% from the field and 30.5% from 3-point range during the 2025-26 campaign.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trae Young injury update: Wizards star set to make debut with new team
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