Atlanta Hawks dealt brutal hand after suffering back-to-back losses

The Atlanta Hawks’ loss to the Washington Wizards might have been more of a glimpse into the immediate future than anyone wants to admit.

Atlanta lost the game and, after entering the contest short-handed, emerged even worse for the wear, losing not one but two more key pieces for varying timeframes. They also updated two previously injured players.

None of the news was encouraging.

Hawks’ series of injuries to key players clouds early-season outlook

“Bogdan Bogdanovic underwent a non-surgical procedure yesterday at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex,” the Hawks announced in a post on X on October 29. “He will be re-evaluated in approximately four weeks and his status will be updated as appropriate.”

It is important to note that four weeks is only the timeline for Bogdanovic to be re-evaluated and not a projection for his return.

That said, the first game we might see Bogdanovic return would be November 27.

Then, the Hawks will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first game of a home-and-home. The second game, in the friendly confines of State Farm Arena on November 29, might be a more reasonable target. The Hawks’ swingman has played in one game this season.

Bogdanovic played one game in the preseason with the Hawks letting him rest after an extended summer tour in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.

He appeared in a career-high 79 games in 2023-24.

It is only the third time in his career that he has crossed the 70-game threshold, which he will not surpass this season based on his projected recovery timeline. At most, Bogdanovic will make 65 appearances this season.

Notably, that would still be his second-most appearances in a single season during his Hawks tenure.

Bogdanovic, 32, is in Year 2 of a four-year, $68 million contract.

“Kobe Bufkin (right shoulder subluxation) has begun treatment and rehabilitation,” the Hawks’ update said. “He will be re-evaluated in approximately four weeks and his status will be updated as appropriate.”

Bufkin has been snake-bitten, plagued by injuries even before he entered the NBA. Injuries limited to 17 games with the Hawks as a rookie in 2023-24.

The No. 15 overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, he also missed all of summer league.

Bufkin returned to play in the preseason, averaging 15.0 points, 4.3 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game. But he re-injured himself and has not played since, leaving the Hawks to turn to 2-way contract player Keaton Wallace behind Trae Young.

“Vit Krejci sustained a right adductor strain during last night’s game vs. Washington,” the release read. “He will be re-evaluated in two weeks and his status will be updated as appropriate.”

Krejci has been a pleasant surprise since emerging last season.

He has not shot the ball as efficiently as he did last season, but he still provides size, toughness, and much-needed playmaking behind Young with Bogdanovic and Bufkin both sidelined. He was supposed to a player the Hawks could call on when needed, not one they relied on.

Krejci was shaping up to be more of the latter with how the Hawks’ injury situation has gone. But now they must find another option.

The run of unfortunate updates reset the standard for “good news” on the day.

No news is good news for injury-riddled Hawks

“Dyson Daniels sustained a right hip flexor strain during last night’s game vs. Washington,” the Hawks’ statement said. “He will be listed as out for tomorrow’s game at Washington and will continue to receive treatment. His status is day-to-day.”

Daniels has been the Hawks’ starting shooting guard and his defense has been invaluable for a team still struggling in that aspect.

Without him in addition to the others mentioned, Wallace steps into a rather sizeable role

That was still good news in comparison to Bogdanovic, Bufkin, and Krejci. And the best news the Hakws got was something they did not report at all. Neither De’Andre Hunter nor Onyeka Okongwu – both of whom missed the loss to Washington – were mentioned.

Hunter (knee inflammation) and Okongwu (toe injury management) returning would be a big boost for the suddenly injury-riddled Hawks.

The report did not say that either, though, so we will await a final report on game day.