Trae Young Vows Hawks, Not Bucks, Would’ve Won 2021 NBA Championship If Healthy

The Atlanta star injured his right foot in Game 3 of the series.

The Hawks lost star Trae Young in Game 3 of the 2021 Eastern Conference finals vs. the Bucks, and eventually lost the series. 

Since then, Young has been questioned about what might have happened in the series if he had stayed healthy.

The 25-year-old opened up about his thoughts on the situation, noting that he believes the Hawks could’ve gone to the Finals and won the title that year instead of the Bucks.

“I ain’t going to lie, we definitely would have won our first ‘chip,” said Young on the From the Point podcast. “I don’t even want to talk about it, because it’s so hard to get back to that moment. You just fight that feeling that you had your chance. ... Getting hurt was not the best feeling because I definitely felt like we had a chance and we were on a run and we were feeling good.”

Trae explains why Hawks would've won the title if he didn't get hurt in 2021 ECF 👀

(via From the Point with @TheTraeYoung) pic.twitter.com/V5GHW3bi4Z

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 12, 2023

Young’s led the Hawks to the playoffs the past two seasons, too, but they have not made it through the opening round since their run in 2021. Young has made it his goal to give Atlanta its first ring.