No Trae Young, no Ja Morant for Saturday's Hawks-Grizzlies meeting

Lauren Williams, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Dec 21, 2024

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ATLANTA — Saturday’s matchup between the Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies might be a more tepid affair without two of the NBA’s more electric guards. The Hawks will host the Grizzlies at State Farm Arena at 7:30 p.m. ET without guard Trae Young and Ja Morant.

The team ruled out Young ahead of the matchup with a right heel contusion.

Young landed awkwardly after contesting a 3-pointer from Julian Champagnie in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The guard finished the game after briefly leaving to go to the Hawks’ locker room.

The pain came after Young landed on the foot of Spurs rookie Stephon Castle after making a 3-pointer. He fell out of bounds and immediately grabbed his right ankle but shook it off and completed the four-point play after officials upgraded Castle’s foul to a flagrant penalty one.

Saturday’s game is only the third that Young has missed this season, despite playing through Achilles tendinitis in the same leg.

The Hawks already had recalled guard Keaton Wallace, who’s on a two-way contract, from the College Park Skyhawks, the team’s G League affiliate. Wallace started in the place of Young in the Hawks’ win over the Boston Celtics last month.

The Grizzlies listed Morant as doubtful with low back soreness Friday before downgrading him to out on Saturday afternoon.

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