The Atlanta Hawks open their season at house in opposition to the Brooklyn Nets this week, however they are going to be with out one in every of their level guards. The staff introduced that Kobe Bufkin suffered a proper shoulder damage in apply on Saturday, and he will probably be listed as out for the season opener.
This comes as a significant blow to the Hawks’ guard depth, as Bufkin was anticipated to be the potential backup behind Trae Younger. Bufkin struggled in his few preseason video games, however had a breakthrough within the Finals in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder the place he scored 31 factors and shot 7 of 14 from three.
Bufkin has been coping with accidents in simply his second season, and this is similar proper shoulder he injured over the summer season and was dominated out of the NBA 2K25 Summer time League. Throughout his rookie season, he missed time with a damaged thumb.
The staff has not introduced how lengthy this damage will preserve Bufkin sidelined, however hopefully there will probably be an replace quickly.
What is going to the Hawks do with Kobe Bufkin sidelined?
The Hawks should combine up the rotation with Kobe Bufkin’s damage, and so they have just a few choices on the staff for the time being.
Vit Krejci is likely to be the most suitable choice to play the backup function, and through his time with the Hawks he confirmed he could be a secondary ball handler able to making performs and getting others concerned. Throughout the preseason, Krejci spent plenty of time on the court docket enjoying alongside Bufkin and serving to him as one other ball handler, and now the Hawks might resolve to place the ball in his hand.
Associated Atlanta Hawks InformationArticle continues under
Bogdan Bogdanovic can even be another choice who can contribute to the Hawks’ backup guard duties, in addition to Dyson Daniels, who confirmed through the preseason how impactful he will probably be on the defensive aspect of the ball. Daniels will kind an excellent duo alongside Trae Younger within the beginning lineup, however he can even deal with some ball-handling duties when Younger is on the bench.
The Hawks additionally nonetheless have Keaton Wallace, who they signed to a two-way contract this summer season. He frolicked on the sphere through the preseason and was an asset on protection for the staff. Signing a participant is also one thing the Hawks think about, however they should reduce somebody already on the roster as a result of dimension of the roster.
With these choices, it is going to be fascinating to see what the Hawks’ plan is and who would be the particular person to take over in Bufkin’s absence.
