After securing a last-second win over the Toronto Raptors last night, the Hawks will remain at home and face the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Ahead of that matchup with the Lakers, Atlanta just released its injury report, and there was good news on it.
De'Andre Hunter has not played in a game since December 20th, but he has now been upgraded to questionable with right knee inflammation. Atlanta announced on Christmas Day that Hunter underwent a non-surgical procedure, but the Hawks did not give a specific date for his return:
"Forward De’Andre Hunter, who has missed the last two games, underwent an MRI on Saturday at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex. Hunter will undergo a non-surgical procedure tomorrow to address right knee inflammation. He will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks and his status will be updated as appropriate."
There have not been many updates on Hunter since, but he has a chance of playing tomorrow against the Lakers, though I would assume he will be on a minutes restriction of sorts. Atlanta has missed Hunter and his defense and if he is close to full strength, he will be a huge addition.
Hunter has played in 24 of the 29 games this season. He is currently averaging 14.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 1.4 APG on 46.0% shooting from the field and 40.4% from three.
After missing yesterday's game vs the Raptors, Hawks guard Dejounte Murray is being listed as questionable with right hamstring soreness for tomorrow's game vs the Lakers. Mouhamed Gueye (right low back stress fracture), Bruno Fernando (Left Lower Back Spasms), and Vit Krejci (left shoulder subluxation) are all out for Atlanta.
Getting Hunter back is great news for Atlanta, no matter how long he plays. Even if he does not play, it is good that he is now upgraded to questionable.
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