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Hawks' Clint Capela Ruled Out vs. Cavs with Knee Injury After Foul on Evan Mobley

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIApril 16, 2022

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 15: Clint Capela #15 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2022 Play-In Tournament on April 15, 2022 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images

The Atlanta Hawks announced that center Clint Capela will not return for the team's play-in game against the Cleveland Cavaliers after suffering a hyperextended right knee.

Capela was injured late in the first half after fouling Cavs forward Evan Mobley as he headed to the basket:

NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA

Clint Capela went to the locker room with an apparent leg injury after this foul on Evan Mobley. <a href="https://t.co/hGv3O9KvSd">pic.twitter.com/hGv3O9KvSd</a>

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, there was "initial optimism" that Capela didn't suffer "significant right knee damage." He's scheduled to undergo an MRI on Saturday.

Capela had seven points and eight rebounds in 13 minutes before exiting. He averaged 11.1 points and 11.9 rebounds per game this year.

Onyeka Okongwu served as Capela's backup in the first half and started the second half in his absence. He had three rebounds in 11 first-half minutes, but the Hawks were plus-11 with him on the court. Atlanta entered halftime trailing 61-51.

Okongwu scored two points and grabbed six rebounds in 18 second-half minutes.

ESPN's Lisa Salters said during the television broadcast that Gorgui Dieng would play at the 5 with Capela out.