Apr 15, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15) dunks beside Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) in the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Hawks' Clint Capela to have MRI after hyperextending knee against Cavaliers

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 4/15/22

The Atlanta Hawks pulled off a thrilling 107-101 come-from-behind victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday night, clinching the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.

However, the miraculous win wasn't without its drawbacks. Starting center Clint Capela left the game after hyperextending his right knee just before halftime.

Capela appeared to pull down Cleveland's Evan Mobley during a shot block attempt. Mobley fell backward awkwardly into Capela, who was called for a flagrant foul on the play.

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

Before exiting the game, Capela had seven points on 3-of-3 shooting and eight rebounds.

Capela's status moving forward is uncertain, but losing him for any extended period would be a massive blow to the Hawks, especially with the No. 1 seed Miami Heat waiting for them in the first round of the playoffs.

Capela is scheduled for an MRI on Saturday to see if he's suffered any structural damage to his knee. However, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said there's reason to be optimistic that Capela isn't seriously injured.

"There's initial optimism that Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela hasn't suffered significant right knee damage," Wojnarowski tweeted. "But an MRI on Saturday will determine extent of possible injury, sources tell ESPN."

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