The rebuilding Atlanta Hawks will try to get their second win of the season on Oct. 23, likely without starting point guard Dennis Schroder. Last night, Schroder injured his left ankle while driving to the basket in the fourth quarter of a 116-104 defeat to the Brooklyn Nets.
There is good news for the Hawks, though, as Schroder told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the injury wasn't serious. However, he is not planning to play Monday when the Hawks visit the Miami Heat at the AmericanAirlines Arena. The 24-year-old is looking to return to action on Thursday (Oct.
26 against the Chicago Bulls).
New leader
The departures of All-Star caliber players like Al Horford, Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap, and Jeff Teague led to Dennis Schroder becoming the new leader of the Atlanta Hawks. Last season, Schroder started the transition from reserve to franchise player as he took the starting job and performed well. He averaged 17.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. This season, in three outings, the playmaker from Germany is off to an excellent start. Schoder is averaging 23.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per contest. He is currently leading the Hawks when it comes to points and assists.
Schroder's replacement
In the absence of Dennis Schroder, likely to replace him in the starting lineup for the Atlanta Hawks is Malcolm Delaney.
The guard out of Virginia Tech is in his second year in the NBA with the Hawks. In three games so far this season, mainly as a backup, he is averaging 4.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.
Indeed, Delaney's numbers are far from what Schroder is producing for the Hawks. But at this point, the 28-year-old is their best option.
Among the other remaining point guards on the roster, Delaney has the most experience and familiarity with the system.
In other NBA news related to point guards, D'Angelo Russell continues to lead the Brooklyn Nets.
Hawks' schedule
Dennis Schroder and the Atlanta Hawks have one of the toughest schedules to begin the 2017-18 NBA season.
The Hawks are still on the road and have yet to see action at home (Philips Arena). Monday's showdown with the Miami Heat is the fourth game of a five-game road trip. The Hawks are flying to the Windy City after their stop in South Beach. On Thursday (Oct. 26), they will be hosted by the Chicago Bulls at the United Center.
Then on Oct. 27, the Hawks will play in Atlanta for the first time this season. The Denver Nuggets are the first visiting opponent, followed by the Milwaukee Bucks two days later.
