Bufkin (shoulder) won't play during Friday's game versus the Hornets.
Atlanta announced Thursday that Bufkin sustained a right shoulder subluxation during practice last Saturday. While the team is still determining treatment options before offering up a firm timeline for his return, the second-year guard could be headed for a multi-week absence.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Won't play Wednesday
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Bufkin will not play Wednesday against the Nets after suffering a right shoulder injury during Saturday's practice.
Bufkin will undergo testing and further evaluation, but he'll miss at least one game to open the regular season. With Bufkin unavailable, it's possible Vit Krejci cracks the backcourt rotation.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Explodes for 31 points in loss
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Bufkin amassed 31 points (12-26 FG, 7-14 3PT), four assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block in 36 minutes during Thursday's preseason loss to Oklahoma City.
Bufkin shifted into the starting lineup, replacing Trae Young, who was given the night off. Making the most of his opportunity, Bufkin took charge on the offensive end, flashing the upside we have been waiting to see. Sadly, his role will diminish when the Hawks are healthy, leaving him on the outside looking in when it comes to meaningful playing time. With that said, he should serve as the primary backup behind Young, which at least gives him some appeal in deeper formats.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Running with first unit
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Bufkin is starting Thursday's preseason game against the Thunder, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Bufkin will get an opportunity to start at point guard while Trae Young rests Thursday evening. Bufkin played a sizable role in Wednesday's matchup, tallying 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 24 minutes off the bench.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Bounces back vs. Heat
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Bufkin tallied 15 points (4-9 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT), four assists, four rebounds and two blocks over 24 minutes in Wednesday's 120-11 preseason loss to Miami.
Bufkin struggled from the field in his last preseason outing Monday against the 76ers. While he committed a team-high five turnovers Wednesday, Bufkin was at least more efficient from the field, and he contributed on the defensive end of the floor with two rejections. Bufkin played in just 17 regular-season games in 2023-24 as he spent most of the year either injured or in the G League. However, the 2023 first-round pick is expected to step into a larger role as the Hawks' backup point guard behind Trae Young after Dejounte Murray was traded to the Pelicans on June 28.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Struggles off bench Monday
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Bufkin logged five points (2-13 FG, 0-5 3pt, 1-1 FT), five assists, two rebounds and one steal over 21 minutes in Monday's 104-89 preseason loss to Philadelphia.
Bufkin and fellow reserve Bogdan Bogdanovic both struggled from the field Monday, and the duo combined for 19 points on 4-for-24 shooting, including 2-for-13 from beyond the arc. Bufkin, who Atlanta selected in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft, is expected to serve as the backup point guard to Trae Young during the 2024-25 regular season. However, Bufkin needs to be more efficient from the field to keep a steady spot in the Hawks' rotation.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: 100 percent for camp
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Hawks general manager Landry Fields said Bufkin (shoulder) will be ready for training camp, Kevin Chouinard of the Hawks' official site reports.
Bufkin suffered a right shoulder subluxation during the offseason which kept him out of the Las Vegas Summer League. However, he's been cleared to be a full participant to start training camp. With Dejounte Murray out of the equation this season, both Bufkin and Dyson Daniels will have a lot of opportunity to earn meaningful minutes in the backcourt.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Out for remainder of Summer League
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The Hawks announced Thursday that Bufkin suffered a right shoulder subluxation during Tuesday's practice and will not play in the Las Vegas Summer League.
While Bufkin's shoulder injury will keep him out of the Summer League, he is expected to make a full recovery ahead of training camp. The second-year guard averaged 4.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 11.5 minutes across 17 regular-season appearances in 2023-24.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Gets rotation spot in return
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Bufkin (toe) tallied three points (1-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt), three assists, two rebounds and one block across 17 minutes off the bench in Monday's 113-101 win over the Bulls.
Suiting up for the first time since March 2 after recovering from a sprained left big toe, Bufkin supplanted Trent Forrest in the rotation as the Hawks' backup point guard and also saw some playing time in an off-ball role alongside Dejounte Murray. The rookie first-round pick could have the ability to pick up more minutes if the Hawks elect to deprioritize two-way player Vit Krejci on the wing, but if he sticks in his current backup role, Bufkin's fantasy upside will be fairly limited.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Set to return Monday
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Bufkin (toe) is available for Monday's game against the Bulls, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
The rookie first-round pick had been sidelined since early March with a left big toe sprain, but after recently ditching his walking boot and resuming on-court work, he'll be ready to go Monday. With five other Hawks players out with injuries Monday, Bufkin could find himself in the rotation in his return to action.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Deemed questionable for Monday
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Bufkin (toe) is questionable for Monday's game against the Bulls, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Bufkin has missed the last 14 games due to a left big toe sprain, but he seems to be trending toward a return since he is listed as questionable rather than being immediately ruled out. Bufkin could find his way into the rotation should he suit up, due to the numerous injuries in Atlanta's backcourt.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Will remain sidelined Saturday
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Bufkin (toe) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Milwaukee.
The Hawks announced last week that Bufkin would be re-evaluated in 7-to-10 days, and he isn't yet ready to return to game action. It's not yet clear when he'll be able to suit up, but his next chance to do so will be Monday against Chicago.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Out at least another week
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The Hawks announced Thursday that Bufkin (toe) is making progress in his re-habilitation and will be re-evaluated in 7-to-10 days.
Bufkin hasn't played since March 2 due to a left toe sprain and will continue to miss an extended period. Vit Krejci and Trent Forrest have received increased playing time in Bufkin's absence.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Out at least 10 days
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The Hawks announced Thursday that Bufkin has been diagnosed with a left big toe sprain and will be in a walking boot for the next 10 days before being re-evaluated, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Bufkin has already missed Atlanta's previous two contests due to a left big toe sprain, and his absence looks as though it'll now extended into the second half of March. Trent Forrest should continue to hold down a rotation spot in Bufkin's absence.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Out again Wednesday
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Bufkin (toe) won't play in Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers.
Bufkin will miss his second straight game due to left big toe soreness. Trent Forrest will likely serve as the Hawks' backup point guard in Bufkin's stead after drawing 11 minutes in Tuesday's 116-100 win over the Knicks.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Downgraded to out
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Bufkin (toe) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Knicks.
Bufkin will join Trae Young (finger) on the sidelines, opening up a few extra minutes for Garrison Mathews, Wesley Matthews and Trent Forrest. Bufkin can be considered questionable, at best, for Wednesday's matchup versus Cleveland.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Dealing with toe soreness
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Bufkin is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Knicks due to left big toe soreness.
With Trae Young (finger) sidelined, Bufkin has played double-digit minutes in four straight games, averaging 6.0 points, 3.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 16.3 minutes during that stretch. If he's sidelined Tuesday, Trent Forrest may see a few extra minutes off the bench.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Scores 12 points off bench Thursday
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Bufkin produced 12 points (5-11 FG, 2-5 3Pt), three rebounds and three assists in 19 minutes during Thursday's 124-97 loss to the Nets.
Bufkin hasn't been a regular part of the Hawks' rotation this season, but the promising floor general had to see minutes off the bench in this one due to the team's lack of depth in the backcourt. His numbers were decent, but the only real reason why he logged minutes was that it was a blowout loss, and this was a good chance to see how he performed at the NBA level following several above-average displays in the G League. Bufkin may stay with Atlanta for a few more days, but he'll likey return to College Park, as he's spent most of the season with the Skyhawks.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Back with parent club
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The Hawks recalled Bufkin from the G League's College Park Skyhawks on Saturday.
The rookie first-round pick hasn't been a regular part of the Hawks' rotation this season, but he could get some run Sunday against the Magic if Trae Young (finger) -- who is listed as questionable -- ends up being ruled out. Bufkin has been a high-level performer during his various stints in the G League this season, averaging 23.6 points, 5.9 assists, 5.4 rebounds, 2.6 three-pointers and 1.4 steals in 32.0 minutes per game over 14 appearances.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Headed back to NBA
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The Hawks recalled Bufkin from the G League's College Park Skyhawks on Saturday, Kevin Chouinard of the Hawks' official site reports.
Bufkin will return to the NBA after a short stint in the G League. However, the rookie guard is unlikely to receive significant playing time for the duration of his stay with Atlanta.
