Atlanta Hawks C Pero Antic breaks nose, out indefinitely

Pero Antic of the Atlanta Hawks will miss the preseason opener Monday after requiring surgery to repair a broken nose he sustained when hit with an elbow in practice Thursday.

Atlanta Hawks center Pero Antic had surgery on Friday to correct a broken nose he sustained in practice Thursday and will be held out of contact for the next several days.

Antic, 32, was injured when he caught an elbow in the schnozz during practice in training camp, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

It may just be me, but Antic has always reminded me of a taller, younger version of Iron Man villain Obadiah Stane.

An older Pero Antic? (Marvel promotional photo)

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Antic will not play in Monday’s preseason opener against the New Orleans Pelicans and his status will be reviewed next week.

A 31-year-old rookie from Macedonia last season, Antic averaged seven points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 18.5 minutes per game last season, though he was limited to 50 games because of a persistent ankle injury. He shot .418/.327/.758.

In the playoffs, Antic averaged 3.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 24.3 minutes a game, starting all seven games in the Hawks’ surprising first-round push of the Indiana Pacers. He shot .167/.120/.625, but created problems for the Pacers by forcing All-Star big man Roy Hibbert away from the basket.

He sat out Saturday’s practice, sporting a pair of black eyes.

"“He is going with the beat-up boxer look,” coach Mike Budenholzer said."

Prior to coming to the U.S., Antic played 13 seasons professionally in Europe, including stints in Macedonia, Greece, Serbia and Montenegro, Bulgaria and Russia. He was the Bulgarian League MVP in 2008 and was MVP of the Russian Cup while leading Spartak St. Petersburg to the championship in 2011.

Pero Antic of the Atlanta Hawks will miss the preseason opener Monday after requiring surgery to repair a broken nose he sustained when hit with an elbow in practice Thursday.

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