Bufkin will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season, as he's undergoing surgery to address his right shoulder instability, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
This is a tough blow for the second-year guard, but he's expected to make a full recovery prior to the 2025-26 season. Bufkin struggled to see consistent run for the Hawks across 10 regular-season appearances, averaging 5.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 12.4 minutes.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Limited role continues Monday
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Bufkin chipped in 10 points (4-4 FG, 2-3 FT), two rebounds and one assist over 12 minutes during Monday's 124-112 win over the Pelicans.
Bufkin scored double-digit points for the first time this season, continuing his modest start to the campaign. Although he possesses an intriguing skill set, Bufkin has yet to carve out a sizeable role. His long-term prospects remain upbeat; however, it appears his only chance of playing consistent minutes this season will be if injuries befall those ahead of him in the rotation.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Serves as backup PG in debut
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Bufkin (shoulder) tallied five points (1-7 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and one rebound across 12 minutes off the bench in Monday's 109-108 win over the Kings.
The second-year player had missed the Hawks' first 14 games of the season while recovering from a right shoulder subluxation suffered late in the preseason before he was cleared to make his debut Monday. He immediately supplanted Keaton Wallace in the rotation and served as the backup to Trae Young, who covered the other 36 minutes at point guard. Though Bufkin can play off the ball, the Hawks are now back to full strength on the wing after Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring) returned to action Monday following an extended absence of his own, so Bufkin may not see his minutes pick up unless Young misses time.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Available Monday
Rotowire
Bufkin (shoulder) isn't listed on the injury report for Monday's game against the Kings, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Bufkin is cleared to make his season debut after missing the first month due to a dislocated right shoulder. The Hawks will be surprisingly healthy Monday, so it's unclear if Bufkin will actually see any playing time.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Remains out Sunday
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Bufkin (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Portland, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Bufkin has yet to make his season debut for the Hawks while working his way back from a dislocated right shoulder he sustained during the preseason. The 21-year-old's next chance to suit up will come in the second leg of a back-to-back set Monday against the Kings.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Unlikely to play Sunday
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Bufkin (shoulder) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers.
Bufkin continues to work his way back from a dislocated right shoulder that he suffered during the preseason in October. He spent the past week in the G League to get some practice time, and while he was recalled by the Hawks on Friday, he doesn't appear ready to make his 2024-25 regular-season debut Sunday. Bufkin's next chance to play will be Monday against the Kings.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Recalled Friday
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Bufkin (shoulder) was recalled from the G League's College Park Skyhawks on Friday.
Bufkin has yet to make his season debut due to a dislocated right shoulder, though he was assigned to the G League to get some practice time with the squad. The 21-year-old is slated for a re-evaluation early next week, and he seems to be ramping up for a return to game action.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Practicing with G League
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Bufkin (shoulder) was assigned to the G League's College Park Skyhawks on Friday.
Per Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Bufkin will get a full practice in with the G League squad while he continues his rehab. The second-year guard has yet to make his season debut due to a shoulder injury but is slated to be re-evaluated early next week.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Will be re-evaluated in one week
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Bufkin (shoulder) is progressing through his rehabilitation and will be re-evaluated in approximately one week.
Bufkin has yet to appear in a game this season due to his shoulder injury, but his recovery process seems to have gone well enough for him to potentially return soon. The Hawks have a myriad of injuries they are dealing with at the moment, so potentially getting Bufkin back would be massive for their guard rotation.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Team option exercised
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Bufkin's (shoulder) third-year option for 2025-26 was picked up by Atlanta on Wednesday
Bufkin's ongoing recovery from a shoulder subluxation has a multi-week timeline, and durability continues to be an issue for the young guard, who also spent time the G League last season but has logged just 17 NBA appearances. Nonetheless, his development is a priority for the Hawks.
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Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Out with shoulder subluxation
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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
Rotowire
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: 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: 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: 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: 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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
