Paul Millsap to Miss Multiple Games with Knee Injury

Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap will miss the team's next two games—which will come against the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards—due to left knee tightness, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Chris Vivlamore. 

Millsap was also out Saturday against the Portland Trail Blazers due to the same ailment. 

Although Millsap missed a few games this season due to a hip injury, he has been mostly healthy throughout his career. He played in 81 contests last year and never missed more than 10 games in a single season.

This is especially impressive for someone who battles in the low post for over 30 minutes per outing just about every year.

After beginning his career with the Utah Jazz, Millsap has become a star since joining the Hawks, going to the All-Star Game in each of his four years in Atlanta. He not only averaged over 16 points per game each season, but he has also been one of the top defensive forwards in the NBA.

This production led to a three-year, $59 million extension before the 2015-16 campaign.

While there was earlier speculation about a potential trade, Hawks coach and president of basketball operations Mike Budenholzer shut down those notions before the February deadline.

"He's not going anywhere," Budenholzer said, per Vivlamore. "You can write that."

With averages of 18.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, he has been a key factor in the team's success, although that also means there are big shoes to fill if the latest injury becomes serious.

Ersan Ilyasova, Mike Muscala and Kris Humphries will all likely play increased minutes for as long as Millsap is unavailable.