Clint Capela could miss first round due to knee injury

Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela could potentially miss the entire first-round series against the Miami Heat. David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Hawks' Clint Capela could miss entire series vs. Heat due to knee injury

By Adam Stites | Last updated Apr 16, 2022 5:44 PM ET

The Atlanta Hawks are expected to be without center Clint Capela for at least a week and potentially the entire first-round series against the Miami Heat.

Capela, 27, was injured Friday night when he fouled Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers, causing the Cavs forward to fall into Capela's leg. While an MRI revealed no structural damage, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the injury could still end Capela's season.

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

The Hawks beat the Cavaliers, 107-101, in the NBA play-in tournament to earn an 8-seed in the NBA playoffs. Atlanta will now face the top-seeded Heat in the first round.

Capela finished the regular season fourth in the NBA in rebounds with 11.9 per game. Last season, he led the league with 15.2 per game. Capela also averaged 11.1 points and 1.3 blocks this season.

In 13 minutes against Cleveland on Friday, Capela recorded seven points and eight rebounds.

Adam Stites

Adam Stites is a Southern California native who lives in a new state every three months. He’s perennially disappointed by both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona State Sun Devils. His dog is named Ramsey after the best cornerback in the NFL

More must-reads: