Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray is expected to miss two weeks with a left ankle sprain according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Sam Amick.
Murray appeared to suffer the injury Wednesday night in a 113- 89 loss to the New York Knicks where he was seen landing on Knicks guard RJ Barrett’s foot as he came down from a baseline jumper.
Referees called Barrett for a reckless closeout. Murray was able to shoot free throws, but soon checked out and did not return to the game.
Murray is the latest injured player on the Hawks’ squad as John Collins also deals with an ankle injury. De’Andre Hunter is currently nursing right hip strain.
Star guard Trae Young also missed practice Thursday due to reportedly waking up and feeling ill.
Murray is a key player for the Hawks
The San Antonio Spurs traded All-Star point guard Dejounte Murray to the Hawks in June for Danilo Gallinari and three first-round picks.
The move was a major one for Atlanta after an eighth place finish in the Eastern Conference last season. They won in the play-in tournament against Cleveland and Charlotte but were eliminated by Miami in the first round of the playoffs.
That season, Murray made his first All-Star team with the Spurs while averaging 21.1 points, 9.2 assists, 8.3 rebounds and a league-leading two steals per game.
The Hawks added him to complement their dynamic guard in Young and bolster their backcourt.
Murray has been a success for the Hawks, averaging 20.8 points, 6.2 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from three.
His playmaking takes some pressure from Young, who is averaging 27.2 points and 9.5 and per game.
The Hawks will need them both to improve on their 31-12 record, as they work to move from their current 5th place standing in the East.
