How Will The Hawks Deal With Thabo Sefolosha’s Injury?

Oct 9, 2014; Lithonia, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Thabo Sefolosha (25) makes a move on guard Kent Bazemore (24) during their open practice at Miller Grove High School. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Hawks are still winning. With last night’s win against the Philadelphia 76ers marking the first 17-0 calendar month in NBA history. Yet there was some less positive news yesterday too though, with word emerging that Thabo Sefolosha is going to miss some significant time due to injury.

Sefolosha got the start against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night with starting small forward DeMarre Carroll missing out with an Achilles strain of his own. It was only two minutes into the game before Sefolosha also found himself heading to the treatment room though.

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Initially diagnosed as just a calf strain, the severity of the injury was then confirmed by an MRI. According to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the team are slating Sefolosha to be out for between 6-8 weeks.

"“Thabo Sefolosha will miss six to eight weeks with a right calf injury, the Hawks announced Saturday.…In his pre-game media availability, Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said of the extent of Sefolosha’s injury that “’it’s going to be awhile.’”"

One of the biggest and perhaps most overlooked factors in Atlanta’s success has been the way in which they shored up their depth on the wings last summer. The additions of Sefolosha and Kent Bazemore provided the Hawks with two guys who could effortlessly plug in for DeMarre Carroll, without the team missing out on either end of the floor.

Sefolosha had a slow start to the season, and acknowledged the adjustments he had to make to grow acclimatized to Atlanta’s fluid and unselfish style of play. He has done so too. His three-point shot was nowhere to be found early in the season, but for the last two months he has averaged 37.5 percent and 40 percent from deep respectively.

Now, having to cope without him for a couple of months, the Hawks are going to have to come up with some new options though.

Last night, we got our first taste of the most obvious one of those, with Bazemore stepping in to make his first start for Atlanta in the absence of both Carroll and Sefolosha. Up to this point, Bazemore’s numbers in Atlanta haven’t really set the world alight, but just like Sefolosha was, Bazemore seems to be on a positive upswing.

It’s the combination of skill and athleticism that the 25-year-old possesses that makes him such a nice well-rounded prospect. Although naturally a two guard, Bazemore has already seen some time filling in at point guard off the bench this season, yet his long wingspan makes him perfectly capable of shutting down his opponent from the small forward spot either.

Defensively, the Old Dominion man has an infectious energy that allows him to cause havoc in the passing lanes, and chase down opponents on their way to the rim for showreel blocks.

Bazemore isn’t going to be the only man to see his role increase following Sefolosha’s injury either. Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer has already toyed with a two point guard lineups for short spells over the last month, and when the Hawks are rolling, don’t be surprised to see Kyle Korver move over to small forward and Dennis Schröder to come in alongside Teague.

Former first round pick John Jenkins has had limited opportunities this season too, but expect to see a little bit more of him over the coming weeks towards the tail end of the bench rotation.

Once DeMarre Carroll doesn’t miss too much longer, the Hawks will still have the luxury of options. Thabo Sefolosha is going to be a big miss for them, but his absence shouldn’t derail the historic pace which their season is currently tracking at.

Next: Should Danny Ferry Win Executive Of The Year?

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