The Atlanta Hawks injury crisis may be starting to abate
The Atlanta Hawks have been going through an injury crisis which is scarily similar to last season. De’Andre Hunter is out for an extended period thanks to surgery and Bogdan Bogdanovic is out for a shorter period with a sprained ankle.
On top of that Solomon Hill injured his hamstring in the loss against the Charlotte Hornets which put even more pressure on the wing depth of the Hawks. Despite this, head coach Nate McMillan still has not used Jalen Johnson in any game situation that mattered, preferring to give him junk time minutes only.
With Hill out indefinately, Hunter out for at least another month, and Bogdanovic being assesed in another week, how can we say that the injury crisis may be abating. That is simple, the news on Onyeka Okongwu and the status of Cam Reddish.
The Atlanta Hawks will be ready to welcome back two players reasonably soon
The Hawks listed Reddish as a game-time decision against the Minnesota Timberwolves per Chris Kirschner of the Athletic. Fortunately for the team he was able to sit out another night, helping his wrist heal and the team took care of business. What this status says is that he has responded to treatment and he is not far away from getting back to the court.
The other status update which is exciting is that Okongwu has been assigned to the Hawks G-League affiliate the College Park Skyhawks, also per Chris Kirschner. This is in addition to practicing with the main squad. What this shows is how determined the rookie is, he said that he was looking to come back earlier than anticipated.
Given that Gorgui Dieng played his best game for the Hawks against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the rush is not as great to bring the second year man back. However, in saying that, the Hawks have had defensive issues when Clint Capela sits and Okongwu did a tremendous job at that end last season.
Next. TLC is starting to get comfortable within the Atlanta Hawks. dark
He will also be a futher offensive boost to the second unit given his connection at that end of the floor with Lou Williams. Given the start to the season that that Hawks have had with injury, it would be great to see some good news on this front.