The Atlanta Hawks will be a few players light ahead of their clash with the Denver Nuggets on Friday night after receiving news that starting forwards De’Andre Hunter and John Collins will be unavailable through injury.
Both players were injured during Atlanta’s 125-108 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday and are expected to be absent for a string of games.
Hunter is expected to miss a week of action after picking up a right flexor hip strain, as revealed by an MRI. He is expected to be reevaluated in a week’s time, meaning that he will miss at least the next four games. This news comes after the forward already missed two months last season with a wrist injury.
Collins underwent an MRI as well which revealed that he suffered a left ankle sprain in addition to some swelling. The six-year veteran will sit out for at least two weeks.
Both players have proven to be a core component of the Hawks’ lineup this season. While Collins is averaging 12.3 points per game, Hunter averaging 14.9 points in 21 games this season.
