Coming down the final stretch of the NBA season, the Hawks are looking to lock up a playoff spot. However, heading into Friday’s contest with the Cavaliers, they may not have some of their key players.
After a resounding win at home against the Celtics, the Hawks are heading to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers. With four games left in the regular season, the Hawks are looking to lock up a playoff berth for the 10th season in a row.
They may be heading into this battle in Cleveland without some of their key players. According to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Hawks will be without Kent Bazemore, Paul Millsap and Thabo Sefolosha.
Dennis Schroder and Tim Hardaway Jr. are doubtful to play as well. Heading into this game with the Cavaliers, the Hawks will only have 10 players available. They’ll be missing four starters and a fringe-starter in Hardaway Jr.
Hawks injury report: Bazemore, Millsap and Sefolosha out. Schroder and THJ doubtful.
— Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) April 7, 2017
This isn’t good news for a Hawks’ team that is looking to find a rhythm heading into the playoffs. Atlanta is currently in the No. 5 seed, at 40-38 for the season. With two games against the Cavaliers and dates with Charlotte and Indiana, could they possibly slide out of the playoffs?
Although Cleveland is likely to rest their stars as well in these two contests, can the Hawks win either of these games with five key players out? Atlanta is only two games up on the ninth-seeded Miami Heat, so they could potentially slide down the standings.
Miami has a tougher schedule, playing the Cavaliers, Wizards twice and the Raptors.
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It’ll be interesting to see how head coach Mike Budenholzer manages his lineups with a few games left in the Hawks’ season. But for tonight, they’ll be missing five of their stars and it could cost them in the standings.