The Atlanta Hawks have been hit where it hurts with injuries this season, losing two of their last three second-round (excluding 2024 and No.1 pick Zaccharie Risacher) for the season due to injuries.
Jalen Johnson was and Kobe Bufkin projected to be key contributors. The Hawks also traded 2022 No. 1 pick AJ Griffin.
Their latest injury report featured more concerns, but also a reason for optimism.
The Hawks listed Trae Young (Achilles tendonitis) as “probable.” Caris LeVert (left knee inflammation), Terance Mann (right quad contusion), and Vit Krejci (lumbar fracture) joined Young on the list, though they were all listed as “questionable.”
It is a downgrade for LeVert and Mann, whom the Hawks acquired before the trade deadline and have become integral parts of the rotation. They are still 50-50 to play by definition though.
For Krejci, however, it is a significant step forward.
An @emoryhealthcare injury report for tomorrow’s game vs. Indiana:
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 7, 2025
Trae Young (right Achilles tendinitis): Probable
Vit Krejci (lumbar fracture): Questionable
Caris LeVert (left knee inflammation): Questionable
Terance Mann (right quad contusion): Questionable
Kobe Bufkin… pic.twitter.com/0bTMTlJhbk
Krejci has not played since February 10. The Hawks were riding a three-game winning streak entering his first absence. He also missed time earlier in the season with an adductor strain that cost him nine straight games.
The point forward averaged 10.4 points with 3.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and just a hair under 1.0 steals per game over the 18 outings (11 starts) before the game in which he injured himself.
Krejci is in Year 1 of a four-year, $10.2 million contract.
Larry Nance Jr. remains without update
Fans will notice Larry Nance Jr. is still listed as out with the fracture in his knee that has cost him the last nine games, a span that began before the All-Star break.
“Larry Nance Jr. left Monday night’s game with a right knee injury. Further evaluation and imaging at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex revealed a non-displaced fracture of his right medial femoral condyle,” the Hawks announced on X in February. “He will be re-evaluated in approximately six weeks, and an update will be provided at that time.”
Young suggested that Nance could be out for the season.
The projected timeline would set his reevaluation – not return – for March 26, which notably falls within a three-game road trip for the Hawks.
They will not have more than two games in a row at home from that point on.
Teams generally like to bring players back from extended absences during homestands, but that may not be possible. Without Johnson and Nance, the Hawks have turned to youngsters Dominick Barlow and Mouhamed Gueye in the starting lineup.