Atlanta's surprising surge without Trae Young fuels debate: Stan Van Gundy believes the Hawks play better as a unit when he's sidelined.
The Atlanta Hawks’ surge without Trae Young has reignited a debate that’s followed the franchise for years, and NBA broadcaster Stan Van Gundy is amplifying it louder than ever.
The Hawks are 7-3 over their last 10 games, including back-to-back wins over the New Orleans Pelicans and Charlotte Hornets, despite Young’s continued recovery from a right MCL sprain. With Atlanta stabilizing after a rocky 2-3 start when Young was available, the team’s contrasting form has become impossible to ignore — especially for Van Gundy.
During an appearance on The Zach Lowe Show, Van Gundy said Atlanta’s recent play reinforces a belief he has held for multiple seasons. He stressed that his stance has nothing to do with disliking Young as a player, but rather how the Hawks function as a team.
Before offering his assessment, Van Gundy went out of his way to explain his longtime appreciation for Young’s on-court brilliance.
“I think they’re better without Trae Young. And I say that as a guy, I’ve said that every year when I watch him. And I’m not a Trae hater,” Van Gundy said. “As a matter of fact, if you give me money and I’ve got money to go buy a ticket, and I can go to three games, Trae’s one of the guys I’m going to go watch. I think the guy, to watch him play, forget the long range shooting. The passes he makes, the creativity.”
Van Gundy noted that his critique comes from a place of admiration, not dismissal.
“I think he is a great watch. I love turning on the Hawks, watching Trae Young pick defenses apart. I love him, but I think this team is better without him,” he said.
That perspective — firm yet respectful — underscores a broader tension around Young’s tenure. Although he remains one of the league’s most gifted offensive creators, Atlanta has not produced deep postseason runs since its 2021 trip to the Eastern Conference finals. His defensive limitations and ball-dominant style have often fueled discussion about whether the Hawks can consistently win at the highest level with him leading the offense.
Since Young’s injury, Atlanta has gone 9-3, a stark contrast to its early five-game stretch with him in the lineup. League personnel are noticing. One Western Conference executive told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps that the dynamics surrounding Young are impossible to ignore.
“I think the Trae Young situation is fascinating,” the executive said. “They’re a totally different team with and without him.”
As the Hawks prepare to host the Cleveland Cavaliers in an NBA Cup matchup Friday, Young’s recovery timeline and Atlanta’s rising momentum are running on parallel tracks. Whether those tracks meet — or diverge — could become one of the most intriguing storylines of the season.