After undergoing an MRI on his injured left shoulder, Hawks sharpshooter Kevin Huerter has been diagnosed with a left rotator cuff strain with an associated shoulder capsule strain, the team announced today in a press release. Huerter will begin receiving treatment and going through rehab for that shoulder, and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, according to the Hawks.
Atlanta head coach Lloyd Pierce had suggested earlier today that Huerter’s injury wasn’t as bad as it could have been, but would force him to miss some time, as Sarah Spencer of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution relays (via Twitter). The second-year shooting guard sustained the injury during Tuesday’s win in Denver.
It’s a tough break for a young Atlanta team that was already missing young big man John Collins, who is serving a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s drug policy. Huerter was off to a solid start this season, with 9.3 PPG on .427/.386/.800 shooting in 10 games (22.5 MPG).
In Huerter’s absence, and with Evan Turner (Achilles) and Vince Carter (personal) still out for the time being, DeAndre’ Bembry and Cam Reddish are among the candidates to see some extra playing time. Allen Crabbe (knee) is also reportedly healthy now and could make his Hawks debut on Thursday if the club needs to fill more minutes on the wing.