It’s been tough for the Atlanta Hawks on the injury front. And while there is still a long way to go before they are back to full strength, they appear to be turning a corner.

The Hawks got starting 2-guard Dyson Daniels back two games ago against the New Orleans Pelicans. And Onyeka Okongwu returned in the Hawks’ last outing, a blowout loss to the Boston Celtics.

There was concern about Trae Young pulling out of that game after leaving early with a rib injury.

However, the Hawks’ injury report gave hope that the three-time All-Star guard can leave despite the injury as his team hosts the Eastern Conference rival New York Knicks on Wednesday.

The Hawks called Young ‘probable’ before the game, which is a good sign considering the vague nature of head coach Quin Snyder’s post-game comments.

“Honestly, I’m not the one trying to give you that information. I think what you heard is what I heard. He played great. I went in here and hit the table with you guys a few games ago, and he’s exhausted now,” Snyder told reporters on Nov. 4 when asked for an update on Young’s status.

“We have a lot of guys competing, and that’s all you can ask for.”

Young is having an incredible season, averaging 23.9 points, an NBA-leading and career-high 11.0 assists and 4.4 rebounds, which is also a career-high.

The Hawks are still out of some key players for a while, such as Bogdan Bogdanovic and Vit Krejci. But the injury report also revealed another encouraging piece of injury news, and it could have a knock-on effect on the squad.

De’Andre Hunter has missed the Hawks’ last six games, a fact underlined by the good start he has made in his two appearances this season. Hunter is averaging 18.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 2.0 APG this season while shooting 40% from beyond the arc.

That last number is crucial for a Hawks team that ranks 18th in deep attempts per game and 21st in three-point efficiency.

Hunter has an extensive injury history, so caution should be used when treating his knee.

However, his absence was noticeable as a major part of why the Hawks’ perimeter defense no longer seemed useful, but was just as porous as in recent seasons when he was the only stop.

Now he has Dyson Daniels to help him in the starting lineup, taking the point-of-attack burden off Hunter, who can focus solely on his wing assignments.

His return could also help Zaccharie Risacher, who has started every game Hunter has missed.

Risacher has looked good through eight games in almost every aspect except his shooting. On the season, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft is averaging 9.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG and 1.1 APG while shooting 32.9% from the floor and 8-for-38 (21, 1%).

Risacher is also just a hair away from averaging 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals.

The really encouraging thing is that he’s seemingly finding his range offensively, or at least what’s working for him right now.

He has posted double figures in each of the Hawks’ last two games. He is averaging 13.0 PPG, 4.0 boards, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals in that span. The rookie is still inefficient from deep, connecting on 18.2% of those looks.

However, Risacher’s overall efficiency maxes out at 35.7% in these two games.

He has incorporated more internal attempts into his arsenal. More than 47% of Risacher’s looks came from beyond the arc through his first six games.

That number has dropped to 39% over the past two games.

A healthier (i.e. more diverse) diet will make things easier for Risacher, whose shooting woes could understandably have taken a toll on the rookie’s mentality. Instead, in another encouraging sign, Risacher (and most likely the coaching staff) adapted.

The deep shots weren’t falling, go in and get some easy looks. With 6-foot shoes, Risacher can get what he wants interior-wise.

He just has to want it and going back to a bench role can help take some of the pressure off him.