Tough Break For Hawks' First-Round Pick; To Miss Considerable Time

It's not the way you want your first pro season to start out. Atlanta Hawks first-round pick Kobe Bufkin fractured his thumb while on assignment during a practice session with the G League's College Park Skyhawks.

Hawks rookie Kobe Bufkin fractured his left thumb while on assignment with College Park last night. Bufkin will be reevaluated in two weeks. @929TheGame pic.twitter.com/hI9ICBWFSt

— Caleb Johnson (@ATLjohnson18) November 3, 2023

Bufkin will miss at the very least two weeks, at which time he'll be reevaluated, and the Hawks will then make a determination on his recovery from there. 

His name made the rounds this summer as a possible piece in the return for a rumored Pascal Siakam trade with Atlanta. The Hawks were said to be "unwilling to part with" Bufkin as part of that, or any other trade. 

The 20-year-old was the No. 15 overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, just out o the lottery. Thus far he has only gotten into two games with the Hawks, playing a total of just four minutes. 

The 6'4" guard was a quick riser at the Draft, going higher than expected, after finishing his college season on a roll, showing off his versatility and shooting ability with the Michigan Wolverines. In his last eight games there, he averaged 19.3 points on 45% shooting from three-point range, and 52% FG shooting overall, along with 5.6 rebounds.

Photo: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports