The NBA’s Eastern Conference just keeps getting weaker and weaker, as the third best team in the Conference, the Atlanta Hawks, have lost team MVP and all-star center Al Horford for the season. Horford will undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn right pectoral muscle.
The loss is a major blow to the Hawks who were thriving with a front line of Horford and Paul Millsap. At 17-14 on the season the Hawks are one of just three Eastern Conference teams with a winning record at this point in the NBA season. Only the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers have better records than the Hawks in the weak Eastern Conference.
In Horford’s absence it is expected that Elton Brand and Pero Antic will see increased minutes for the Hawks.
The 27-year-old Horford had been playing the best basketball of his career, through 29 games he was averaging 18.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game, all of which were career highs for the big man. He was also shooting a career best 56.7% from the field.
Horford suffered the injury Thursday in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
This is the second pectoral muscle injury for Horford, as he tore his left pectoral muscle in January 2012.
Thanks for Reading. You can follow the LWOS basketball department on twitter – @NBAAnalystFaro, @LASTWORDgcp, @LiamMcWade, @TrendingTristan, @KaineElmy, @Joshua_Jackson_, @lwosjbjatty, @LWOSJoshHoath, @aFishCalledMatt, @fourpoint_play, @matttheballer23, @caulfieldhoops, and @hoops_scoop. While you’re at it, give the site a follow too – @lastwordonsport and like our Facebook Page.
Interested in writing for LastWordOnSports? If so, check out our “Join Our Team” page to find out how.
Photo Credit: Teamleaks.com, CC
