The Atlanta Hawks prepare to host the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday night, their first game since losing in the NBACup Semifinals to the Milwaukee Bucks. They will be shorthanded and without some depth off the bench.
Kobe Bufkin will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season, as he will undergo surgery to fix instability in his right shoulder. The former-Michigan man has had a tough start to his NBA career, with much of his rookie season being marred by injuries. It seemed this season he would crack into the rotation for regular minutes. Unfortunately, Hawks fans will have to wait till next year for the 2023 15th overall picks’ talents.
Bufkin finished this season averaging 5.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists per game, on 38.3% shooting from the field.
On the same day, center, Onyeka Okongwu, was ruled out for the next four games of the Hawks’ schedule. Thankfully, less severe than Bufkin, Okongwu is dealing with inflammation in his left knee and will be revaluated in one week.
Okongwu has been a nice piece of the bench for Atlanta, averaging 11.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1,4 assists, while shooting an impressive 54.2% from the field.
