Why is Trae Young not playing against Memphis Grizzlies? Latest update on Hawks star's absence (Dec.21) 

Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young is ruled out of Saturday's matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. The point guard has played in 27 of the Hawks' 28 games so far this season but will sit tonight with a right heel contusion.

Trae Young was one of the best players in this season's NBA Cup, averaging over 24 points and 10 assists in five games. His most notable moment was spearheading an upset win against the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden, after which he gestured playing dice over the Knicks logo in center court.

He was named in the All-Tournament team along with Damian Lillard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Alperen Sengun and the cup's MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Young is currently averaging 21.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and a league-leading 12.2 assists per game and the Atlanta Hawks have a 14-14 record along with the seventh seed in the eastern conference. The Memphis Grizzlies are the second seed in the west with a 19-9 record. Tonight's game in Atlanta is the first time these two teams are meeting this season, one of only two games.

Atlanta Hawks face uphill battle against Grizzlies without Trae Young

The Grizzlies currently rank fifth in defensive rating while the Hawks rank 20th in offense. This means Atlanta is in for a long night of trying to generate good shots without their best offensive player. The Hawks will look to Jalen Johnson to step up tonight.

The forward out of Duke University is in his fourth season and currently averaging 19.7 points, 5.4 assists, a team-leading 10.1 rebounds, and over a steal and a block per game. Johnson emerged last season as a high-level roleplayer and has taken his game up a notch again this season.

With all of the injuries that the Eastern Conference has faced, there is a serious push for Johnson to be named an All-Star alongside Trae Young.

The Hawks will hope Young's absence from the court is only temporary as they fight to elevate themselves out of the play-in conversation. In Atlanta's one other game without Young this season they pulled off a gutsy, 117-116 win over the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics. The Atlanta Hawks are 28-33 without Trae Young.