Trae Young Honored by Hawks Fans in Emotional Return to Atlanta

The former Hawks star shared his love and appreciation for the city and its fans after being traded to the Wizards.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 4:07pm

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Trae Young, who was the face of the Atlanta Hawks for eight years before being traded to the Washington Wizards in January, received a warm welcome and standing ovation from Hawks fans in his emotional return to State Farm Arena. Young expressed his deep love and appreciation for the city and its fans, who supported him throughout his rise to stardom with the Hawks.

Why it matters

Young's return to Atlanta, even though he was not playing in the game, was a significant moment for the star player and the Hawks franchise. It highlighted the strong bond between Young and the Hawks' fanbase, which endures despite the trade that sent him to a new team.

The details

Young was not officially taking the floor with the Wizards, but the packed arena and emotional tribute video before the game made his return to Atlanta a memorable experience. The All-Star guard shared that he wanted the Hawks fans to know how much he loves and appreciates them, as they supported him in building the team into a contender and putting the city on the map.

  • On February 25, 2026, Trae Young returned to State Farm Arena in Atlanta for the first time since being traded to the Washington Wizards.

The players

Trae Young

An eight-year veteran and former star player for the Atlanta Hawks, who was recently traded to the Washington Wizards.

Atlanta Hawks

The NBA franchise that drafted Trae Young and was the team he played for during the first eight years of his professional career.

Washington Wizards

The NBA team that acquired Trae Young in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks in January 2026.

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What they’re saying

“I just wanted the Hawks fans to know how much I love and appreciate them. Getting drafted, obviously the (draft night) trade … I still found a way to make a name for myself, make a name for my team, and try to put this city on the map where people were talking about us. You can't do that without the fans. The fans showed us so much love.”

— Trae Young (The Athletic)

What’s next

Young will have many more chances to compete against his former team, the Atlanta Hawks, as a member of the Washington Wizards.

The takeaway

Despite being traded away from the team that drafted him, Trae Young's deep connection and appreciation for the Atlanta Hawks and their fans remains strong. This emotional return to Atlanta highlights the lasting impact he had on the franchise and the city during his eight-year tenure.