The Atlanta Hawks cannot seem to avoid it.
An injury bug that has already sidelined several Hawks players for multiple games – and even ended Kobe Bufkin’s entire 2024-25 season – has claimed yet another victim.
“Larry Nance Jr. sustained a right hand injury during today’s game vs. Miami at State Farm Arena,” the Hawks social media team posted on X on December 28. “Additional details regarding the injury, a treatment plan and a timeline will be shared when available.”
Nance, 31, had a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double in the Hawks’ win over the Miami Heat.
Hawks lose versatile veteran to injury bug
It was the third time Nance has recorded double-digit rebounds this season and his second double-double of the campaign.
If Nance is sidelined for an extended period, the Hawks will miss his competitiveness and versatility on both ends of the floor He missed his lone three-point attempts against the Heat but entered the contest shooting 50% from downtown over his previous four appearances.
Nance has been a source of intrigue when it comes to the Hawks.
In the final year of a two-year, $21.5 million contract, Nance has been the subject of trade rumors even before the season began.
However, injuries to Hawks backup center Onyeka Okongwu – who remains sidelined – and Cody Zeller not joining the team following the trade that brought him, Nance, and Dyson Daniels to Atlanta from the New Orleans Pelicans have kept Nance in play.
The trade deadline is not until February 6, giving all parties plenty of time.
Notably, starting center Clint Capela and rookie No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher are the only Hawks players to appear in every game this season.
Road tripping
The Hawks embark on a six-game road trip on Sunday that begins with the Toronto Raptors, but gets notably tougher with stops at the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Phoenix Suns on the docket.
There is also a back-to-back when the Hawks play the Lakers and Clippers.
The Hawks are 10-7 at home this season but 7-8 on the road away from State Farm Arena, and they are 2-3 on the second night of a back-to-back.
Atlanta was 1-2 on its most recent road trip, beating the New York Knicks but losing matchups against the Milwaukee Bucks and San Antonio Spurs. Fortunately for the Hawks, the rebuilding Raptors are not on the same level as any of those teams.
Rookie wall for Zaccharie Risacher?
Risacher has not shot the ball well for the majority of the season. But he had found a groove and was producing double-digit scoring outings.
That has stopped.
Risacher had 9 points on 33.3% shooting against the Heat on Saturday, including a 1-4 mark from downtown. He has scored 10 points twice in the last seven games, with .333/.259 splits in that span.
The Hawks have not had to rely on Risacher’s scoring, allowing him to play relatively freely while still contributing in other ways.
They need him to pull out of this slump ASAP, though, especially with injuries still piling up.