When it rains, it pours, and the Atlanta Hawks are in the midst of a storm. This season has already seen two contributors lost with injuries in starter Jalen Johnson and reserve Kobe Bufkin.
Now, it appears the Hawks could have to navigate the rest of the season without injured veteran forward Larry Nance Jr.
Hawks star Trae Young alluded to one of Nance or Vit Krejci possibly being done for the year.
“Everybody says, ‘Next man up’ and things like that. But you’ve gotta fight through it. You gotta give a little more, and it’s everybody. Not just the guys that are replacing those guys. It’s me included. We all gotta give a little bit more,” Young told reporters on February 19.
“Yeah, it’s frustrating. The way they got out of the game back-to-back, missing the season – possibly for one of the guys, and it’s very frustrating. But at the same time, … I’ve been through it before. We just gotta take it head on and be ready to play each and every game. Can't can't look back now.”
Trae Young, speaking about dealing with the latest set of injuries, alludes to the possibility Larry Nance Jr. might be lost for the season. @929TheGame pic.twitter.com/5krETmsXDv
— Caleb Johnson (@ATLjohnson18) February 19, 2025
The Hawks announced that Nance, 31, suffered a fracture in his knee and would be reevaluated after more than one month.
“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 in a post on X on February 12. “He will be re-evaluated in approximately six weeks, and an update will be provided at that time.”
Season-ending injury could mean Larry Nance Jr. done in Hawks uniform
It is presumed that Nance is the player Young was referring to, though nothing is confirmed. Krejci, who is dealing with a back issue after taking a hard fall, was in attendance for the Hawks’ first practice after the All-Star break.
“Vit Krejci left Monday night’s game due to a lower back contusion,” the Hawks’ announced along with Nance’s injury. “Further evaluation and imaging at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex confirmed a non-displaced lumbar fracture. He will be re-evaluated in three to four weeks, and an update will be provided at that time.”
Vit Krejci doing some form shooting pic.twitter.com/dxhqVbZa7t
— Kevin Chouinard (@KLChouinard) February 19, 2025
Nance had worked himself into a role after going large stretches of the early season without seeing the floor.
He made it clear he was seeking more playing time amid the Hawks’ other injuries this season.
That brings up the issue of the veteran being on an expiring contract with unrestricted free agency on the horizon. It is a triple-slam, with the Hawks not moving Nance before the deadline and robbed opportunity to utilize him during the season.
For Nance, he is unable to bolster his standing heading into free agency. A knee injury for an older player is not something that boosts player value.
It is an unfortunate turn for a player who has been a fan favorite at every stop in his career.