Peachtree Hoops: Hawks announce De’Andre Hunter will undergo surgery, miss remainder of postseason

[Hawksquawk]

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

An unfortunate development.

Wednesday afternoon, the Atlanta Hawks announced that De’Andre Hunter will undergo surgery after an MRI showed a small tear of the lateral meniscus in his right knee. Hunter missed 49 games this season with pain and swelling in the same knee.

The Hawks added that Hunter will miss the remainder of the postseason, which is obviously a huge blow to the team. Before the injury surfaced early in the season, one could argue he had been the team’s best all around player through the first 18 games of the season.

The Hawks said in a press release that prior to Game 1 of the series vs. the Philadelphia 76ers, Hunter began experiencing mild swelling in his right knee. He was then examined and scheduled for an MRI. The initial review revealed a new small tear of the lateral meniscus in his right knee. After a second opinion, the tear was confirmed, and he is set to have surgery in Los Angeles this weekend.

Hunter averaged 10.8 points and four rebounds per game in five first-round games vs. the New York Knicks, and shot 37.5% from three-point range, while providing versatility defensively, seeing time on both Derrick Rose and Julius Randle throughout the series.

Hunter’s status will be updated later on, but the Hawks will have to continue their postseason run without him.

Stay tuned.

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