Heading into their third exhibition game, the Hawks continue to battle injury issues.
Having a handful of players missing practice and games in the preseason has made it difficult for the Hawks to use the lineup combinations they want, including rotation players who will shoulder significant playing time in the regular season.
“I’m praying that our guys will be healthy, and that we can get them on the floor because they need to work together, and we just have not had that opportunity for our guys to work together, that first and second group because we’ve got some tweaks,” coach Nate McMillan said at practice Friday. “We’ve got some little injuries.”
Here’s a roundup of Hawks injury news gleaned from Friday’s practice:
- Clint Capela (left Achilles soreness) is not expected to be available in the preseason, per McMillan, since he still hasn’t been able to participate in live work (he’s rehabbing after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection in his Achilles). On a positive note, Capela told the AJC he’s feeling much better, has recently ramped up his activity and is slated to begin live work with the team Monday, so he’s at least making progress: “These past few days, I’ve been doing actual basketball workouts, contact, so yesterday I did pick-and-roll stuff, being able to sprint, to jump. It really, really felt good. ... I’m really getting there. It’s a relief. It started December of 2020 that I had that pain, and now, I really for the first time finally feel like it’s healing. So it’s going the right way. I’m just grateful, and I can’t wait.”
- Trae Young, who suffered a right quad contusion in Monday’s exhibition loss to the Heat, received treatment and did not participate in practice Friday. He was listed as doubtful on Friday evening’s injury report.
- Delon Wright, who tweaked his left ankle in Wednesday’s exhibition loss to the Cavaliers, warmed up but did not participate in any live work at practice Friday. He was listed as doubtful on Friday evening’s injury report.
- De’Andre Hunter, who has been rehabbing from meniscus surgery, did not participate in practice Friday. He was experiencing some soreness, per McMillan. In his return from injury, Hunter played 26 minutes Wednesday, finishing with eight points, two assists, two rebounds, one block and three turnovers. Hunter was listed as questionable with right knee injury management.
- Kevin Huerter did some running Friday but didn’t participate in practice, and was listed as questionable with left ankle injury management. Huerter is rehabbing from ankle surgery in the offseason. He played 26 minutes Wednesday and had a good game with 15 points and four rebounds.
