NBA Playoffs 2021: Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter to undergo season-ending knee surgery

Gilbert McGregor

NBA Playoffs 2021: Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter to undergo season-ending knee surgery image

The Atlanta Hawks have been dealt a serious injury blow.

The team announced that second-year forward De'Andre Hunter, who started in all five games of the opening round, will be out for the remainder of the postseason after suffering a small tear of the lateral meniscus in his right knee.

Hunter, 23, was sidelined for 49 regular-season games but recovered in time for the playoffs, where he played a key role in Atlanta's series victory over the New York Knicks. Over five games, the former No. 4 overall pick averaged 10.8 points and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 37.5 percent from 3-point range.

The news comes after knee soreness resulted in Hunter being held out of the Hawks' first two games of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with the Philadelphia 76ers.

After undergoing an MRI, the meniscal tear was revealed, requiring the recommended surgery.

Atlanta, which was able to steal Game 1 on the road without Hunter, has inserted veteran forward Solomon Hill into the starting lineup. The team could look to a different second-year wing in Cam Reddish to return to the lineup after reports indicated he is nearing his return from an Achilles injury that has kept him sidelined since late February.

The Hawks will look to take care of home court as they host the Sixers in Game 3 on Friday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Stick with NBA.com for more updates surrounding the Hawks and around the league.

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Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.