The Atlanta Hawks announced Thursday that guard Kobe Bufkin will be sidelined indefinitely after suffering a partially dislocated right shoulder, marking the second time he’s sustained the injury. Bufkin injured his shoulder in practice last weekend, causing him to miss Atlanta’s season-opening victory over the Brooklyn Nets, according to an ESPN report.
The 21-year-old guard is exploring his treatment options, but early assessments indicate he will likely be out for an extended period. Bufkin’s absence is a significant blow to the Hawks, as the guard showed promise throughout the preseason, averaging 15 points per game over four appearances.
Bufkin’s best performance came in the preseason finale, where he scored 31 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The timing of this setback is unfortunate for Bufkin, who entered the 2024-25 season looking to build on his rookie campaign, where he averaged 4.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 11.5 minutes per game.
