David Chao, MD: News On Trae Young's Injury Is Actually Good For Hawks

The news that Trae Young has a bone bruise in his foot is actually good news. If the ankle were the main issue, Young might be slowed by overnight swelling, even though he returned to the game. The MRI has confirmed the diagnosis, and now it is a matter of playing through the pain and I believe he will.

So what is the difference between Young's bone bruise, which is manageable, and Kawhi Leonard's bone bruise, which has prevented him from returning for the conference finals as we predicted? Caution needs to be exercised with a bone bruise at the joint, especially when articular surfaces are involved, for fear of long-term consequences. Where there is no danger to cartilage surfaces, a bone bruise to the foot is a matter of what one can do to push through.

We correctly surmised that Young would return from his ankle sprain. He has had previous ankle issues and wears braces. These may have helped lessen any ankle injury and minimized the damage to his previously stretched ligament.

This is why a bone bruise of the foot is good news for the Hawks. The ankle should be a minimal issue, so expect to see Young playing in Game 4.