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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Remains out Sunday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Unlikely to play Sunday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Recalled Friday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Practicing with G League
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Will be re-evaluated in one week
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Team option exercised
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Out with shoulder subluxation
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Running with first unit
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Out for remainder of Summer League
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Gets rotation spot in return
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Deemed questionable for Monday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Out at least 10 days
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Headed back to NBA
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Kobe Bufkin: Recalled to NBA
Rotowire
Atlanta recalled Bufkin from the G League's College Park Skyhawks on Friday.
Bufkin will be available for Friday's game against the Suns. He appeared in Tuesday's blowout win over the Lakers, posting three points, one rebound and one assist in two minutes, but that was his first NBA appearance since Oct. 30.
