Trae Young returns to Atlanta for the first time since blockbuster trade to the Wizards

ATLANTA (AP) — The surroundings were a little strange for Trae Young, who spent the last eight years hanging out in the more spacious home locker room at State Farm Arena.

“I've only been in the visiting locker room for concerts and stuff,” Young said with a chuckle. "It is weird. It's something I'll have to get used to coming back here.”

Young returned to Atlanta on Tuesday night, his first appearance in his longtime home since he was dealt to the Washington Wizards in a blockbuster trade last month.

He didn't get a chance to go against his former Hawks teammates on the court as he continues his arduous recovery from a sprained right knee and quadriceps contusion. The point guard hasn't played in nearly two months, and the Wizards seem in no rush to get him back in uniform when the main objective would appear to be landing a high draft pick for next season.

While Young seemed optimistic that he's nearing full health, he also dodged the question when asked bluntly if he expected to play again this season.

“I'm leaving it up to the doctors," Young said. “Just following the plan. The plan is going good so far. You never know.”

Young was the face of the franchise in Atlanta, earning four trip to the All-Star Game and leading the Hawks on a memorable run to the Eastern Conference final in 2021.

But the team never approached that level of success again, failing to advance past the opening round of the playoffs. When a season that began with high hopes headed toward another mediocre finish, the Hawks decided it was time to move on from their biggest star. He was dealt to the Wizards in early January for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.

But Young insisted there are no hard feelings. He cherished his time in Atlanta, even as he looks forward to a bright future with a Wizards franchise that also landed big man Anthony Davis is another huge trade ahead of the deadline.

“I just want Hawks fans to know how much love and appreciation I had for them from day one,” Young said. “I came in and found a way to make a name for myself, make a name for my team. I tried to put this city on the map, where people talked about us.”

But he conceded it was time to move on, to get a new start in the nation's capital.

“When you've been there for so long, it kind of feels like your stay is not welcomed as much anymore,” Young said. “That's OK, you know what I'm saying? That's life, no matter what we do. We play a sport that's not necessarily fair.”

He noted the optimism at the beginning of the season after the Hawks traded for Kristaps Porzingis, seemingly addressing one of their biggest weaknesses. But Porzingis dealt with injuries and illness, playing only 17 games in Atlanta before he was traded to the Golden State Warriors.

“I wasn't healthy this year. KP was not healthy this year,” Young said. “There's a lot of things we could've done. But that's neither here nor there. That's in the past. Everything happens for a reason.”

Young is excited to see what he can build in Washington, especially looking ahead to next season with a healthy Davis, a promising group of youngsters and one of the top picks in a loaded draft.

The Hawks wished Young nothing but the best.

“Speaking on everyone's behalf, we're very appreciative of what Trae has done for our team and our franchise over the year,” coach Quin Snyder said. “We're grateful to him and his family for that. We just wish him well in this next phase of his career.”

When he glanced ahead at the schedule, Young had hoped to lead his new team against his former team. It didn't work out, and Young is unlikely to play Thursday when the teams meet against in Atlanta.

“When I was doing the rehab, obviously I was hoping I could come back and play,” Young said. “I'm in a great spot right now. I wish I could play tonight, my first night here, but it wasn't in God's plans. But I'm going to be back playing here a lot in the future.”

When his new teammates headed to the court for the opening tip, Young remained in a nook under the stands, pulling on an elastic band as part of his rehab.

But he joined the bench — at the visiting end of the court — in time for a tribute video early in the second quarter. As the crowd rose in a standing ovation, Young formed his hands in the sign of a heart and mouthed "thank you” over and over again.

“That is probably the one plus of playing right now,” he said before the game. "I can maybe get some emotions out of the way the first time and not be so emotional every time.'

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FILE - Washington Wizards guard Trae Young, center, looks on from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Jan. 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is appealing a judge's order that blocks him from punishing Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, a former Navy pilot, for participating in a video that called on troops to resist unlawful orders, according to a court filing on Tuesday.

Justice Department officials filed a notice that they wil ask a panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review the Feb. 12 ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon.

Kelly, who represents Arizona, said in a social media post that the only reason for Hegseth to appeal is to “keep trampling on the free speech rights of retired veterans and silence dissent.”

“These guys don’t know when to quit," Kelly wrote on his X account.

Hegseth had vowed to immediately appeal Leon’s decision. “Sedition is sedition, ‘Captain,’” he posted on his X account, referring to Kelly by his rank at retirement.

In November, Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers appeared on a video in which they urged troops to uphold the Constitution and not to follow unlawful military directives from the Trump administration. Republican President Donald Trump accused the lawmakers of sedition “punishable by DEATH” in a social media post days later.

Earlier this month, a Washington grand jury declined to indict the lawmakers over the video.

Kelly sued in federal court to block his Jan. 5 censure from Hegseth. Leon’s order prohibits the Pentagon from implementing or enforcing Kelly’s punishment while his lawsuit is pending.

Leon ruled that Pentagon officials not only violated Kelly’s First Amendment free speech rights, but they also “threatened the constitutional liberties of millions of military retirees.” The judge invoked an old-fashioned rebuke -- “Horsefeathers!” -- in response to the government’s claim that Kelly is trying to exempt himself from the rules of military justice.

“To say the least, our retired veterans deserve more respect from their Government, and our Constitution demands they receive it!” wrote Leon, who was nominated to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush.

The 90-second video was first posted on a social media account belonging to Slotkin. Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado, Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania also appeared in the video. All of the participants are veterans of the armed services or intelligence agencies.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his wife Jennifer Rauchet arrive before President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

From left, Sen. Ruben Gallego D-Ariz., Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., join Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for a news conference as they criticize President Donald Trump's policies and agenda ahead of his State of the Union speech, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)