Atlanta Hawks center Tiago Splitter is set to miss six more weeks with an injured calf. After he underwent an MRI at the Emory Orthopaedics and Spine Center, the Hawks confirmed that Splitter had sustained a grade two right calf strain.
News of the injury was first reported by Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Hawks’ Tiago Splitter Out Six More Weeks
Splitter, 31, is yet to appear in a game this season due to previous injuries. The Brazilian big man played in just 36 games last season. Splitter had been rehabbing from off-season hip surgery and a mild hamstring strain. This most recent injury will sideline Splitter for another six weeks. This is bad news for the Hawks, who, despite currently sitting top of the Southeast Division, will miss having a player as talented as Splitter in the rotation. Last season, Splitter averaged 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game as a backup on Mike Budenholzer‘s team.
Splitter missed the opportunity to play at home in the Olympic Games this past summer, and he was expected to play backup to star center Dwight Howard this season. Injuries appear to be a big obstacle for Splitter. Fellow backup Mike Muscala has been filling in for the injured Splitter and has done a good job. In 15 games this season, Muscala has averaged 9.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. The Hawks have done a very good job making sure that they have enough talent to fill the void left by Splitter’s absence. Splitter is expected to be out until at least the new year.
Main Photo:
November 6, 2015: New Orleans Pelicans guard Toney Douglas (16) blocks the shot of Atlanta Hawks forward Tiago Splitter (11) during the game between Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA. Atlanta Hawks defeat New Orleans Pelicans 121-115. (Photograph by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)
