The Hawks announced Friday evening second-year wing DeAndre’ Bembry will be out indefinitely with a fractured wrist. The announcement came following the results of an MRI taken to assess the damage of the what the team previously listed as a wrist contusion. Bembry sprained his wrist during the team’s season-opening win against the Dallas Mavericks.
Via the team statement, Bembry will be reevaluated on Monday, October 23. The timing of the injury could not be worse for a team still trying to find itself in a retooling year. Bembry missed time in the preseason with a leg injury.
Hawks say wingman DeAndre Bembry suffered a fracture in his right wrist. pic.twitter.com/jWA31uAiWl
— Rob Lopez (@r0bato) October 20, 2017
His continued missed time could affect the collective chemistry of the team. The team has not announced a timetable for Bembry’s recovery.
(UPDATE 10/14/17) Bembry will be sidelined 4-6 weeks with a fractured wrist.
DeAndre' Bembry had surgery on his wrist this morning, the Atlanta Hawks say. The team expects him to be out 4-6 weeks. pic.twitter.com/pbUunS8OAM
— Daniel R. (@Daniel_Th0mas) October 24, 2017
Bembry, 23, is a valued offensive piece to the Hawks roster. The Hawks will be hard-pressed to find a replacement for his defense. Atlanta will most likely look to the services of stand-out Taurean Prince to shoulder the load for the missing Prince.
Atlanta has other options at the wing such as veteran Luke Babbitt. The team may look to use Josh Magette who is under contract with the team on a two-way contract.
The St. Joseph’s product is just beginning to find his way in the league. Last season in 38 games, Bembry averaged two points and 1.6 rebounds per game. The first-round pick in the 2016 NBA draft showed promise as he continued to improve last year. When healthy, he serves as plus defender who can guard bigger perimeter players.
The team views DeAndre’ Bembry as a valuable member of the youth movement in Atlanta. His upside is integral to the team’s success going forward, primarily as a voice in the locker room.
In 17 minutes against Dallas Bembry tallied six points, six rebounds, and had two steals.
