Fansided

Hawks’ DeMarre Carroll questionable for Game 2

By Luke Dahlgren

May 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll (5) is helped off the court after an apparent injury as Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) talks with him during the fourth quarter of game one of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Cleveland won 97-89. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll (5) is helped off the court after an apparent injury as Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) talks with him during the fourth quarter of game one of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Cleveland won 97-89. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll injured his right knee in Game 1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, which Cleveland won 97-89.

In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday night, Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll made a steal on a wild LeBron James pass and started the Hawks on the fast break. Carroll aimed to finish the job himself, and went to go coast-to-coast. The play ended with Carroll on the ground writhing in pain.

Replays showed Carroll awkwardly landing while going up for the shot between James and Iman Shumpert. The fear for Carroll was a torn knee ligament.

The injury forced the Hawks to go without Carroll for the rest of the game, a game they lost 97-89 at home. But Carroll’s concern was more long-term. He received the news he needed on Thursday morning.

This is wonderful news for Carroll and Atlanta for a handful of reasons.

Game 1 showed that the Hawks will need wing defenders. J.R. Smith will not always go 8-for-12 from behind the three point arc.

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The Cavaliers work on isolation more than anyone else, and Carroll will likely be forced to contain James for most of the series. Matchups will be key, and his presence will allow Atlanta to divert more attention to the perimeter.

He may not be back for the entire series, but chances are he will recover quickly enough to make an appearance.

Carroll is finishing up a contract year with a masterful season. He is cashing in on a payday, either from Atlanta or somewhere else that is willing to pay some serious coin. An ACL tear would dovetail his asking price and force him through a painful recovery process. This news is worth tens of millions of dollars.

The Hawks and Cavs play Game 2 tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. ET in Atlanta. With the Cavaliers up 1-0 and headed home for the next two games, it is imperative that the Hawks win.

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