Hawks' Clint Capela Ruled Out vs. Cavs with Knee Injury After Foul on Evan Mobley
The Atlanta Hawks announced that center Clint Capela will not return for the team's play-in game against the Cleveland Cavaliers after suffering a hyperextended right knee.
Capela was injured late in the first half after fouling Cavs forward Evan Mobley as he headed to the basket:
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, there was "initial optimism" that Capela didn't suffer "significant right knee damage." He's scheduled to undergo an MRI on Saturday.
Capela had seven points and eight rebounds in 13 minutes before exiting. He averaged 11.1 points and 11.9 rebounds per game this year.
Onyeka Okongwu served as Capela's backup in the first half and started the second half in his absence. He had three rebounds in 11 first-half minutes, but the Hawks were plus-11 with him on the court. Atlanta entered halftime trailing 61-51.
Okongwu scored two points and grabbed six rebounds in 18 second-half minutes.
ESPN's Lisa Salters said during the television broadcast that Gorgui Dieng would play at the 5 with Capela out.
