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Atlanta Hawks: Millsap, Bazemore Reportedly To Miss Next Two Games

By Andrew Snyder

Dec 28, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) reacts with team mate forward Kent Bazemore (24) after making foul shots against the New York Knicks during the overtime at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Knicks 102-98 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) reacts with team mate forward Kent Bazemore (24) after making foul shots against the New York Knicks during the overtime at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Knicks 102-98 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Hawks will lose two starters for the next two games.

Things are going from bad to worse this week for the Atlanta Hawks. After losing their last three contests, news has surfaced that they will be without their best player for their next two games. Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported that Paul Millsap will miss Atlanta’s next two games due to left knee soreness.

This news was to be expected. Millsap missed Atlanta’s Saturday night loss to the Portland Trail Blazers due to the same knee issue. Vivlamore is also reporting that Kent Bazemore will miss those same two games, if not more, due to an injury of his own. Bazemore suffered a knee contusion during the loss to Portland and will be re-evaluated in 7-to-10 days.

These are significant short-term losses for the Hawks. Millsap is Atlanta’s best player. They are 0-4 without him this season. Millsap is averaging 18.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game on 44.3 percent shooting. He played in his fourth consecutive All-Star Game earlier in February and is arguably having the best defensive season of his career.

Bazemore is less vital to the Hawks, but he is still a key contributor. After a career season in 2015-16, Bazemore has had an inconsistent season. Bazemore is averaging 11 points and 3.1 rebounds per game on 40.7 percent shooting and 33.6 percent from three-point range.

I would expect Tim Hardaway Jr. and Ersan Ilyasova to serve as their replacements in the starting lineup. This may also lead to more minutes for Taurean Prince and DeAndre’ Bembry being recalled from the D-League.

Atlanta currently holds a 1.5 game lead on the Indiana Pacers for fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The ninth place Detroit Pistons are within four games of the Hawks. The playoffs aren’t exactly slipping away, but now is not a good time for them to miss two players from their starting five.

Next: Hawks Lose To Trail Blazers

Atlanta’s next two games will come on the road against the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards.

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