The Atlanta Hawks are gradually nearing full strength with each passing day.
While their complete rotation, last seen together in the season opener, remains a bit away from being fully reunited, the end of the recovery process is clearly within reach—as long as the team avoids any major setbacks.
The Hawks’ injury report showed progress for both Kobe Bufkin and Vit Krejci, albeit to different extents.
The Hawks have upgraded Kobe Bufkin and Vit Krejci on the injury report. Krejci, sidelined for the last nine games due to an adductor strain, is now listed as “questionable” for Sunday’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers, the first of a four-game road trip featuring three consecutive games on the West Coast.
Krejci is averaging 4.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game this season, with a challenging 28.6% shooting rate from beyond the arc. Despite these modest numbers, his role as a point forward remains crucial, particularly with Jalen Johnson in the starting lineup.
While the upgrade in his status is a positive step, it doesn’t guarantee Krejci’s immediate return, especially after an extended absence. However, this development aligns with the Hawks’ November 12 update, which projected a reevaluation in about a week, suggesting he is on track—or even slightly ahead of schedule—for his comeback.
The other players in the report received less encouraging updates. This group includes Bufkin, who was upgraded to “doubtful” in the latest update, as well as Bogdan Bogdanovic and Seth Lundy.
Bogdanovic’s situation remaining unchanged is certainly worrisome. After a strong but lengthy summer run, he has only played in one game this season. While the Hawks have managed without him, his absence is a significant blow.
Bogdanovic is the Hawks’ top shooter, more reliable than Trae Young and taking more shots than De’Andre Hunter. His ability to space the floor creates driving lanes for Hunter, Johnson, Young, and Dyson Daniels.
The trend began in the last game when Trae Young returned after a one-game absence, and De’Andre Hunter made his third appearance of the regular season following an extended layoff.
If this trend continues, it bodes well for the team.
A key trait of a strong team is winning against opponents you’re expected to beat. Another important factor is avoiding a major letdown—losing focus after a big win, as the Hawks must avoid doing now. The Blazers were one of the worst teams in the NBA last season.
This is a new season, and while it’s still early, the Blazers are close to the Hawks in terms of record.
Four Blazers players have made double-digit appearances and are averaging double-digit points, with two other key contributors averaging 9.5 PPG. However, they still rank 29th in offensive rating and 20th in defensive rating this season. The Hawks cannot afford to overlook this game—especially since their defensive rating is even worse than Portland’s, sitting at 25th.
The Hawks need to come out strong and put the Blazers away early so they can rest in the later stages of the game.
**Zaccharie Risacher’s Role**
Rookie No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher has started the last 11 games for the Hawks, holding onto his spot even with Hunter’s return in the previous game. However, it’s uncertain whether he will stay in the starting lineup or if he should.
Risacher is averaging 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 steals during his time in the starting lineup, along with just under 1.0 block per game. However, he has struggled with his shooting, hitting just 38.2% of his field goals and 22.8% from three-point range. Over the last four games, he is 1-for-17 from beyond the arc.
In contrast, Hunter is shooting 46.7% from three. Although this number comes from a small sample size and is likely unsustainable, Hunter remains a dangerous off-ball threat and a smart two-way player.
Bringing Risacher off the bench could help reduce the impact of his shooting inefficiency. With Bogdanovic out, the rookie could take on a more prominent role with the second unit.
