Tiago Splitter out for one month due to injury

NBA News – The Atlanta Hawks’ frontcourt depth took a hit when veteran center Tiago Splitter suffered a hamstring strain in practice. The team announced he will miss at least four weeks.

Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution provided the update. The Hawks noted he suffered the injury in practice and underwent an MRI on Monday.

Splitter is entering his second season with the Hawks following a trade from the San Antonio Spurs. The big Brazilian’s production was down significantly from his time with the Spurs, as he put up just 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest in only 36 appearances.

Unfortunately for both the Hawks and Splitter, he was on the shelf multiple times over the course of the 2015-16 season.

He dealt with a pair of hip injuries and a calf strain, which caused him to miss more than half the year and Atlanta’s entire playoff run.

In the final three seasons of his five-year stint with the Spurs, Splitter was deployed primarily as a starter next to Tim Duncan, so his time with the Hawks has required a transition of sorts.

With Dwight Howard and Paul Millsap ahead of him on the depth chart, Splitter will likely be forced to take a step back and accept a slightly lesser role.

Even so, his absence could be a major blow to the Hawks since it will test their frontcourt depth in a big way.

Atlanta still has a strong duo down low in the form of Howard and Millsap, but if Splitter can’t play, some combination of Walter Tavares, Mike Scott and Mike Muscala will be forced to step up in terms of providing some support. However, at 6’11” with a strong defensive presence and great passing ability, Splitter isn’t the type of player who is easily replaceable.

Atlanta is used to operating without Splitter at this point, but it doesn’t make his injury any easier to swallow for a team that is looking to vie for Eastern Conference supremacy.

Category: Basketball