Hawks’ Tiago Splitter out for season (hip surgery)
Hawks center Tiago Splitter will have hip surgery and miss the rest of the season, the team announced.
Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution first reported the news.
Splitter, 31, missed six games entering the All-Star break to rest his right hip, which has nagged him for most of the season. After receiving a second opinion, surgery reportedly became an option. The timing of his procedure is still being finalized.
The veteran big man has averaged 16 minutes over 36 games this season, posting 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds, down from his career averages. The Hawks acquired Splitter from the San Antonio Spurs in the off-season.
The injury puts the Hawks in an interesting spot, with Mike Muscala, Mike Scott and rookie Walter Tavares the main in-house options to back up Paul Millsap and Al Horford. Horford has been the subject of many trade rumors this week, with many suggesting the Hawks could look to get younger and sell off pieces of their core.
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- Jeremy Woo
