Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela suffered no structural damage to his right knee but could miss a significant part — if not all — of an opening-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, sources told ESPN on Saturday.
Capela underwent an MRI on Saturday in Miami and is expected to have his hyperextended knee reevaluated in a week, sources said.
The Hawks and Heat play Game 1 on Sunday and Game 2 on Tuesday in Miami, with Games 3 (Friday) and 4 (April 24) in Atlanta.
The loss of Capela is a significant blow to the Hawks, who entered the playoffs after advancing with two victories in the play-in tournament to meet the Eastern Conference’s top-seeded Heat.
Capela, 27, has averaged 11 points, 11.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks this season.
Capela left Saturday night’s 107-101 victory over Cleveland after a collision in the second quarter when Cavaliers center Evan Mobley fell against Capela’s leg as Mobley was falling down. Capela then fell to the court and clutched his right knee in pain. Capela’s teammates quickly surrounded him, and he had to be helped off the court.
Coach Nate McMillan said after the game that Capela’s knee was sore, but he offered no further update.