Atlanta Hawks point guard Kobe Bufkin has been plagued by injuries during his first two seasons in the league, but after playing in the NBA2K26 Summer League, he’s shown great potential. Many experts were doubtful because he wasn't part of the Hawks' regular rotation, but he started his Summer League run with a 29-point game in their 105-98 victory over the Miami Heat.
His shot creation was on full display, and he was able to absorb contact when driving toward the rim. Bufkin has added much-needed muscle to his frame and used his newfound strength to get to the free throw line, where he went a perfect 15-for-15. Unfortunately, he shot an abysmal 2-for-9 from three, and his struggles from beyond the arc carried over to the next game against the Phoenix Suns.
Even though the Hawks beat the Suns 98-80, Bufkin arguably had the worst game of his NBA career, going 3-17 from the field. He still finished with 10 points and nine assists, with a +6 on +/-. His aggressiveness was encouraging, but there were times he became overzealous instead of passing out to reset the play.
Bufkin didn’t allow the dreadful performance to affect his confidence, and he exploded for 25 points, six rebounds, and three assists against the Houston Rockets. It was the Hawks' third consecutive victory in the Summer League, and they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 92-88 in the following game. The Hawks finished 4-1 in Vegas after losing to the Boston Celtics 101-80 in the consolation game, and their performances have created a promising outlook for the future.
Bufkin Silences The Doubters
It was impressive for Bufkin to bounce back after months of inactivity. Real NBA game speed is a different standard to measure against, and he passed his test with flying colors. Poor shooting performances are inevitable, and he adapted by attacking the paint when his shot wasn’t falling. The NBA is a higher level of competition, but he is finally showing the potential the front office expected.
At 6'5, Bufkin will be the ideal backup point guard behind Trae Young, and his size also allows him to play shooting guard alongside Young. If he stays healthy, the Hawks will finally reap the benefits of drafting the former Michigan Wolverine. He shot 35.5% from three and averaged 14.0 points per game in his second college year, making him a logical pick to back up Young for his scoring ability.
His health issues were unforeseen, and now that he’s improved his physique, the 2025-26 season will essentially serve as his rookie year. Even though he’s in year three, the 21-year-old will finally contribute to the rotation, and the season will also test his durability. It’ll take at least one season to gain the trust of the front office, and if Bufkin can play at least 65 games, it’ll be enough to make an impact this season.