Kent Bazemore admitted he was scared.
The Hawks starting guard has been sidelined for four straight games with a right knee bone bruise diagnosed after an MRI exam last week. He will miss a fifth game when the Hawks host the Suns on Tuesday. However, all signs point to a return at the 76ers on Wednesday.
Bazemore was injured during the Hawks loss to the Trail Blazers on March 18. The MRI was performed the following day and the team said Bazemore would be re-evaluated after 7-10 days.
Bazemore said the injury was related to the knee issue that has plagued him much of the season and prevented him from playing back-to-back games in early December. He said he bumped knees with Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard before he left late in the fourth quarter.
“The last play right before I went out and went to take off and the quad just died on me,” Bazemore said Monday. “It scared the crap out of me, one. Two, it’s time to get an evaluation and see where you are physically.
“It’s my dominant knee with plays I try to make, taking off and landing. It got to the point that we needed to do something. It was a group decision to take some time off and be ready for this playoff push.”
Neither Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer nor Bazemore committed to a return Wednesday. However, that is the likelihood if there is no setback in the coming days. Bazemore his return is “trending upward.” He said he can do “just about everything” as he rehabs the injury.
“I’ve been working out on the court the last few days kind of pushing it,” Bazemore said. “Obviously, it’s the next day to see how it feels. I’ve been in the weight room a ton. It’s kind of been like a week of summer workouts. I’m starting to feel good.”
Bazemore has averaged 11.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 67 games. The return of Bazemore will certainly help the Hawks’ defense and adjust a bench rotation that has struggled during the team’s seven-game losing streak. Bazemore said it hasn’t been easy to watch from a far as the team has struggled.
“You want to get out there and help your guys,” Bazemore said.
