The Atlanta Hawks’ victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers was bittersweet on Friday night. They are set to start their first-round matchup with the Miami Heat without their starting center Clint Capela.
The Hawks big man had to be helped off the floor after fouling Evan Mobley and forcing him to the floor. When Capela grabbed Mobley by the shoulders, the momentum caused a collision by the sidelines.
Clint Capela went to the locker room with an apparent leg injury after this foul on Evan Mobley. pic.twitter.com/hGv3O9KvSd
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 16, 2022
According to the Hawks, Capela would not return to the game after suffering what was diagnosed as a hyperextended right knee. ESPN’s NBA insider, Adrian Wojnarowski, reported that Capela would undergo an MRI on Saturday to determine the extent of the damage. The timetable of his return is unknown.
There’s initial optimism that Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela hasn’t suffered significant right knee damage, but an MRI on Saturday will determine extent of possible injury, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 16, 2022
Before the injury, Clint Capela had seven points and eight rebounds in 13 minutes of action.
The injury is a significant loss for the Atlanta Hawks. Capelaposted a strong performance in the first play-in game against Charlotte with 15 points, 17 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Without Capela, Coach Nate McMillan and his staff have to find other production options to replace the Swizz product, who averages a double-double with 11.1 points and 11.9 rebounds in the regular season.
SLAM will follow this injury situation as it develops.
