ESPN News: Hawks Lose Yet Another Starter to Injury

The Atlanta Hawks lost twice on Sunday. Not only did they fall to the New Orleans Pelicans in what would become a blowout loss by the second quarter, but fourth-year forward Saddiq Bey would sustain a lower leg injury while going for a layup on a fastbreak with just under 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

Hawks Lose Saddiq Bey to Lower Leg Injury
As Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III fouled him, Bey’s left leg bent backward in a worrying way.

Immediately after hitting the floor, Bey slapped the court in frustration. Heading to the charity stripe, Bey would split his free-throws and head to the locker room shortly after. Diagnosed with a hyperextended left knee, he would not return. It was a cruel twist of fate for Bey, who had just hit a buzzer-beating 3-point attempt to end the third quarter. Narrowing the Pelicans lead down to 15 points, it was a shot in the arm for the ailing Hawks.

Going 3-11 from the field prior to his injury, Bey didn’t have a great game up to that point. However, while shooting 3-8 (37.5 percent) from 3, he was the only Hawks player besides Dejounte Murray to get to the free-throw line, where he went 5-6.

Bey also offered his usual hustle and defensive tenacity, skills that have made him a key starter for Atlanta even when his shot isn’t falling. He was particularly effective against star forward Brandon Ingram, who finished the contest with just seven points on 3-9 shooting from the field. He was 1-3 from the field when guarded by Bey.

Next Man Up
Bey is likely to be out for multiple games. Players have missed an average of 11.3 games with knee injuries this season. With that, the Hawks are now down three starters, as Trae Young (finger surgery) and Jalen Johnson (ankle sprain) are also out. Onyeka Okongwu (big toe sprain), another member of their rotation, continues to be out as well.

In need of healthy bodies, Hawks rookie Mouhamed Gueye could be the next man up. Having recently returned from injury, Gueye has impressed since Atlanta acquired him in a draft night trade with the Boston Celtics.