Clint Capela hyperextends his right knee and does not return.
Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela is out for Game 1 against the Miami Heat, the team announced today. Capela reportedly will miss at least a week with a hyperextended right knee, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
An @emoryhealthcare injury report for today’s game at Miami:
John Collins (right ring finger sprain/right foot strain): Available
Clint Capela (right knee hyperextension): Out
Lou Williams (low back discomfort): Out pic.twitter.com/LIzVvyCp9y— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 17, 2022
MRI on Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela's right knee revealed no structural damage and he's expected to be evaluated again in a week, sources tell ESPN. He will clearly miss significant time in this Hawks-Heat playoff series, if he's even able to return before it's over.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 16, 2022
Capela exited Friday’s Play-In game between the Hawks and Cavaliers and did not return after hyperextending the knee late in the second half. An MRI taken in Miami showed no structural damage, but Capela is still expected to miss significant time, Wojnarowski reports.
The injury occurred when he fouled Cleveland rookie Evan Mobley from behind, pulling him backwards into Capela’s knee. The Hawks big man immediately fell to the ground yelling in pain and had to be helped off the floor. He exited with seven points and eight rebounds in 13 minutes and 29 seconds of action.
The Hawks later announced Capela would undergo an MRI in Miami, where Atlanta will begin its first-round playoff series against the top-seeded Heat.
An @emoryhealthcare injury update:
Clint Capela (right knee hyperextension): Will not return pic.twitter.com/nWIi2K37yj
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 16, 2022
Atlanta and Cleveland were playing for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, with the winner drawing Miami in the first round. The Hawks claimed that honor one season after making a surprising run to the Eastern Conference finals.
