Trae Young’s Grade 2 Left Ankle Sprain Explained By Ex-Rival Staffer

Last week, the Atlanta Hawks announced that their All-Star guard, Trae Young, was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain, according to Sarah K. Spencer of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Late in the third quarter of the Hawks’ April 21st’137-127 overtime loss against the New York Knicks, Young went down with a left ankle sprain in obvious pain. The following day, he went in for an MRI, and X-Rays came back negative.
ESPN’s Rachel Nichols interviewed young on Thursday’s episode of The Jump, where he shared that he was lucky to be wearing an ankle brace.
“It feels a lot better,” Young said. “Still sore. Getting an MRI here in a little bit to see if there’s anything more. A lot better than what it felt in the moment.”
On Tuesday, former Los Angeles Lakers trainer Marco Nunez broke down Young’s interity
“So, they diagnosed him [Trae Young] with a second-degree ankle sprain. There are three different degrees first, second, and third when it comes to ankle sprains, with the third being the worse one. The third is when the ligaments tear, and that takes a little bit longer time to heal,” said Nunez.
“Depending on the severity of the tear, sometimes athletes are placed in a cast or a boot. In this case, it is only a second-degree sprain. I think they reported that he would be back in a week or so, which is pretty good. I anticipate the second degree isn’t as bad as it sounds, and his pain tolerance has gotten stronger, and it has gone down.”
If Young can return by the end of this week, he has the opportunity to play against the Sixers on Friday on the road or against the Bulls on Saturday at home.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
