Wizards' Trae Young still out through All-Star break
New Washington Wizards star Trae Young is expected to remain sidelined through the NBA All-Star break as he continues to recover from injuries to his right leg, prolonging the wait for his much-anticipated debut in Washington. Team officials and league reports indicate that Young will not be cleared to return to the court until he is re-evaluated after the mid-February showcase, effectively ruling him out for at least the next several weeks.
Young’s status is tied to a combination of MCL and quadriceps injuries in his right leg that have limited him to just 10 games this season, all with the Atlanta Hawks prior to his trade to the Wizards. He initially suffered a right MCL sprain in late October, an issue that cost him more than 20 consecutive games, and later picked up a right quad contusion that ended his stint in Atlanta before the blockbuster deal. In those 10 appearances, he averaged 19.3 points and 8.9 assists, numbers that underscore the level of play Washington hopes to unlock once he is fully healthy.
For now, the Wizards are taking a deliberately cautious approach with their new franchise guard, prioritizing long-term health over short-term gains in a season where the team sits near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Reports describe the organization as aligned with Young on not rushing his return, recognizing that any setback could jeopardize both his future performance and the broader direction of a roster still in transition. The plan calls for a fresh medical evaluation after the All-Star break, followed by a ramp-up period that could delay his actual debut even beyond that date.
There are also strategic considerations at play. Washington’s 2026 first-round pick reportedly carries top-eight protection, giving the front office incentive to balance competitiveness with preserving strong lottery odds in a highly anticipated draft. Limiting Young’s minutes, or delaying his return, dovetails with a longer view of building a contender around a healthy star guard and another premium young prospect, rather than chasing marginal wins in a season already defined by growing pains. At the same time, the situation is expected to draw league attention, given that Young has technically returned from his MCL sprain and quad contusions do not typically require prolonged absences, raising questions about how teams manage health and competitive timelines in an era of load management and asset protection.
For Wizards fans, the news is a mixed reality: frustration at the delay, but also a measure of optimism about what comes next. Young has established himself as one of the league’s most dynamic offensive engines, and his eventual pairing with Washington’s young core is viewed internally as a potential turning point for a franchise long stuck in various stages of rebuilding. Until after the All-Star break, though, his impact will be confined to the practice court and the locker room, as both player and team wait for the green light that signals the start of a new era in the nation’s capital