Decoding Trae Young's MCL Sprain with a Specialist

The Washington Wizards' point guard, Trae Young, is the team's most significant addition since Will Dawkins took over as General Manager. Nevertheless, Young is dealing with an MCL sprain in his right knee and hasn't yet taken the court. It's conceivable that he might not make his debut until the beginning of the 2026-27 NBA season.

What do these injuries look like?

Dr. Robert Volk, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics, shared some insights into this injury, the recovery process, and other related topics. Dr. Volk has worked as a medical professional for various professional sports teams, including the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the NHL's Florida Panthers, and NCAA Division I programs at Florida International University. He has also served as a physician in the U.S. Navy at Walter Reed Navy Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and has treated several members of the U.S. Congress.

As a disclaimer, Dr. Volk's comments are general in nature and not tailored to Young's specific case. They are also not official medical diagnoses. Please speak with your doctor regarding your individual situation.

BF: How long does it usually take to recover from this kind of injury?

Dr. Volk:The recovery process largely depends on how severe the sprain is. A minor MCL sprain may show improvement within a few weeks, whereas a more significant sprain typically requires four to six weeks or even longer. Adding a quadriceps strain to the situation can prolong the timeline since it's not just about the ligament healing — the player also needs to regain full strength, power, and stamina in the quadriceps before being able to return to NBA-level performance. For an athlete who depends greatly on speed and agility, this is essential.

Which important elements of basketball are most impacted by this injury?

Volk:The MCL provides stability to the inner part of the knee, particularly during side-to-side motions. In basketball, this influences cutting, defensive slides, quick stops, and handling physical contact. The quadriceps plays a key role in speeding up, jumping, and general power. Therefore, this combination mainly affects sideways movement, explosive power, and the capability to slow down and speed up again — all of which are crucial for a guard's performance.

Is Young likely to be concerned about suffering the same injury again once he returns?

Volk: The positive aspect is that isolated MCL sprains typically recover well without surgical intervention, and the chances of re-injury are fairly low if rehabilitation is comprehensive. The main issue isn't the ligament itself — it's ensuring that strength, balance, and neuromuscular control are completely regained before resuming activity. In professional settings, decisions regarding returning to play are determined by measurable functional goals, rather than just time elapsed, which greatly lowers the risk of recurrence.

Any other details regarding this injury?

Volk: Injuries of this nature involve more than just what appears on imaging scans. The true measure is whether the athlete can cut at full speed, handle contact, and perform effectively under game fatigue without any hesitation. When rehabilitation is done correctly and strength balance is regained, most athletes can return to their previous level of performance.

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