Kobe Bufkin suffers right shoulder injury and will not play at Las Vegas Summer League

The Atlanta Hawks announced injury news earlier today.

Second-year point guard Kobe Bufkin was expected to play a significant role for the Hawks in this year’s Summer League, but he won’t be able to do so now. The Hawks announced an important update on Bufkin’s injury today:

“Point guard Kobe Bufkin injured his right shoulder during Summer League practice Tuesday night. An MRI performed at Emory Sports Medicine Complex revealed findings consistent with a right shoulder subluxation. He will not play in Summer League in Las Vegas and is expected to make a full recovery before training camp.”

This is bad news for Bufkin and the Hawks. Bufkin was supposed to be one of the Hawks’ most watched players this summer, along with first-round pick Zaccharie Risacher, but he will now be unavailable. As the current roster indicates heading into the regular season, Bufkin could be Trae Young’s replacement, but Bufkin struggled with injuries last season. That will be something to watch both before and during the season. Bufkin showed serious two-way ability last season when healthy and is an important player for the Hawks moving forward. It will be interesting to see what the Hawks do with their roster and Summer League roster now that they no longer have Bufkin available.

Atlanta is set to kick off its Summer League schedule tomorrow, taking on No. 2 pick Alex Sarr and the Washington Wizards. It will be one of the most-watched games of the Summer League, as it features the top two picks in the draft. Atlanta will also face Bronny James and the Lakers, No. 4 pick Stephon Castle and the San Antonio Spurs, and No. 11 pick Matas Buzelis and the Chicago Bulls.