Trae Young, one of the most prolific offensive engines in the modern NBA, has seen his career take a dramatic turn during the 2025-26 season. After years of serving as the cornerstone for the Atlanta Hawks, the elite playmaker was traded to the Washington Wizards in January 2026. This transition, coupled with a challenging injury bug, has made his statistical profile for the current year look vastly different from his perennial All-Star campaigns in Georgia.

Currently, Trae Young holds career averages of 25.1 points, 9.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game across nearly 500 regular-season appearances. However, during the 15-game stretch in the 2025-26 season before being sidelined on March 16, 2026, his averages adjusted to 17.9 points and 8.0 assists per game.

Summary of Trae Young’s 2025-26 Season in Washington

The trade to the Washington Wizards was the primary headline of the NBA mid-season, shifting the league's balance of power. Joining the Wizards in jersey #3, Young was expected to revitalize the D.C. offense. Unfortunately, his integration period was cut short by physical setbacks.

Recent Game Performance and Injury Status

Before his season was officially interrupted, Young showcased flashes of his "Ice Trae" persona, though his volume was restricted. On March 16, 2026, in a matchup against the Golden State Warriors, he logged 21 points and 5 assists in just 21 minutes before exiting. Following that game, Young was diagnosed with a right quadriceps contusion and persistent lower-back pain.

Reports indicate that he has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season to focus on a full recovery. For fantasy owners and statisticians, this means his season totals remain frozen at 15 games played with a shooting split that reflected a transition phase: a high field goal percentage (44.3%) but lower overall volume compared to his Atlanta peak.

Key Stats for the 2025-26 Campaign:

  • Games Played: 15
  • Minutes Per Game: 25.6
  • Points Per Game: 17.9
  • Assists Per Game: 8.0
  • Free Throw Percentage: 82.6%
  • Three-Pointers Made: 1.8 per game

Retrospective on the Atlanta Era (2018–2025)

To understand the magnitude of Trae Young’s impact, one must look at the historical data from his seven seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. Since being drafted 5th overall in 2018 (and traded for Luka Doncic), Young redefined the ceiling of the Hawks' offensive system.

The Historic 2024-25 Season

His final full season in Atlanta (2024-25) was a statistical masterpiece. He averaged 24.2 points and a career-high 11.6 assists per game. This assist mark led the NBA, cementing his status as the league's premier floor general.

Statistic 2024-25 Season (ATL) Career Average
Points Per Game 24.2 25.1
Assists Per Game 11.6 9.8
Rebounds Per Game 3.1 3.5
FG % 41.1% 43.3%
FT % 87.5% 87.2%

Sustained Scoring Excellence

Between 2019 and 2022, Young was arguably the most feared deep-range threat outside of the Bay Area. In the 2019-20 season, his second year in the league, he exploded for 29.6 points per game. He followed this with a 2021-22 campaign where he scored 28.4 points per game on a career-best 46.0% shooting from the field.

Young’s ability to draw fouls is a critical component of his statistical efficiency. Throughout his career, he has averaged over 7.5 free throw attempts per game, converting them at a high 87.2% rate. This "free money" at the line often buoys his scoring totals even on nights when his perimeter jumper is inconsistent.

Advanced Analytics: Impact Beyond the Box Score

Standard box scores often fail to capture the "gravity" Trae Young provides on the court. Advanced metrics provide a clearer picture of why he remains a high-value asset despite defensive critiques.

Usage Rate and Offensive Rating

Young has consistently ranked near the top of the league in Usage Percentage (USG%). In several seasons with the Hawks, his USG% exceeded 33%, meaning over a third of the team's possessions ended with him shooting, drawing a foul, or turning the ball over. While this leads to high turnover numbers (averaging 4.2 per game), it also results in an elite Offensive Rating for his team when he is on the floor.

Playmaking and Assist Percentage

In 2024-25, Young's Assist Percentage (AST%) was a staggering 46.4%. This means nearly half of all his teammates' field goals were assisted by him while he was on the court. His vision, particularly in the pick-and-roll with athletic big men, creates "vertical spacing" that few other guards can replicate.

Shooting Distance and Shot Profile

Data from StatMuse and Basketball-Reference shows that Young is one of the few players whose "effective range" begins as soon as he crosses half-court.

  • 3P-Range: A significant portion of his three-point attempts come from 27 feet or further.
  • Floater Game: In the 3-10 foot range, Young utilizes a world-class floater to negate the shot-blocking of opposing centers, shooting roughly 45% in this "short-mid" area over his career.

Playoff Statistics and High-Pressure Performance

Trae Young’s statistical profile is not limited to the regular season. His "Ice Trae" moniker was earned during the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals run.

In 27 career playoff games, Young has maintained an elite level of production:

  • Playoff PPG: 26.4
  • Playoff APG: 9.0
  • Career High: 48 points against the Milwaukee Bucks (June 23, 2021).

His playoff performance in 2021 was a revelation, as he averaged 28.8 points per game and led the Hawks to within two wins of the NBA Finals. Even in subsequent playoff appearances where defenses focused solely on stopping him (such as the 2022 series against Miami), his gravity allowed teammates to find open looks, even if his individual shooting percentages dipped.

How the Move to Washington Changes the Statistical Outlook

The trade to the Wizards represents a new chapter. In Atlanta, the roster was often constructed to hide Young's defensive limitations. In Washington, he joins a different roster construction.

Why did his scoring drop in 2025-26?

The dip from 24.2 PPG to 17.9 PPG following the trade can be attributed to several factors:

  1. Lower Minutes: He averaged only 25.6 minutes per game in Washington compared to 36.0 in Atlanta.
  2. Pace and System: The Wizards' offensive pace and ball-sharing philosophy under their current coaching staff reduced the number of isolation sets for Young.
  3. Injury Management: Playing through quadriceps and back issues clearly hampered his explosive first step and lift on his jump shot.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Trae Young remains a statistical anomaly in the NBA—a player who can lead the league in both total points and total assists in the same season, as he nearly did in 2022. While the 2025-26 season will go down as a "lost year" due to the mid-season trade and subsequent injuries, his career trajectory suggests a strong bounce-back in 2026-27.

The Washington Wizards are essentially getting a 27-year-old superstar in his prime. If he can return to his 35-minute-per-game workload, there is every reason to believe Young will return to the 25/10 club, challenging for All-NBA honors once again.

Summary of Career Achievements:

  • NBA All-Star: 4-time selection (2020, 2022, 2024, 2025).
  • All-NBA Third Team: 2022.
  • NBA Assists Leader: 2025.
  • NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2019.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Trae Young's career high in points?

Trae Young's career high in the regular season is 56 points, achieved against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 3, 2022. In the playoffs, his high is 48 points against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Why is Trae Young not playing right now?

As of March 2026, Trae Young is sidelined due to a right quadriceps contusion and lower-back pain. He has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA season.

How many assists does Trae Young average?

For his career, Trae Young averages 9.8 assists per game. In his most recent full season (2024-25), he averaged a career-high 11.6 assists.

What team does Trae Young play for in 2026?

Trae Young currently plays for the Washington Wizards. He was traded to Washington from the Atlanta Hawks in January 2026.

How tall is Trae Young and what is his weight?

Trae Young is listed at 6'1" (1.85 m) and weighs approximately 164 lbs (74 kg).