Hawks vs. Nets preview: Injuries leave Hawks shorthanded heading into Brooklyn

The Atlanta Hawks are going to be minus a couple of key players for Tuesday's clash in Brooklyn with the Nets. After suffering an injury against the Utah Jazz, Kent Bazemore joins Jeff Teague on a list of injured Hawks.

The Hawks announced Bazemore's status Monday afternoon, ruling him out of Tuesday's contest:

Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Kent Bazemore suffered a right ankle injury in last night's game against the Utah Jazz. X-rays performed at Philips Arena last night were negative. A follow-up MRI and examination this afternoon at the Peachtree Orthopaedic Clinic confirmed a right ankle sprain. Bazemore will be listed as out (NWT) for tomorrow's game at Brooklyn and his status will be updated as appropriate.

With Jeff Teague out, a game that might have otherwise been an easy win for the Hawks is now much more of a challenge. At the very least, Thabo Sefolosha, Kyle Korver, and Mike Muscala are all expected to play for the Hawks. All the help will be needed, even though the Nets appear to be one of the weaker teams not only in the Eastern Conference, but the entire league.

A win is much needed for this Hawks team that has lost three of their last four games, all that were very winnable games. Paul Millsap has had a great start of the season, and a big night from him and Al Horford will be key in coming out of Brooklyn with a victory. Dennis Schroder can also add to his resume for becoming a starter one day in the future, whether that be for the Hawks or another team.

The Nets are looking for their second win of the season, after going through a brutal part of their schedule in which they play four consecutive road games over the course of 10 days, 3 of those games just four days apart. Brook Lopez has been the leading scorer for the Nets so far this season at 19.2 points per game, and 8.5 rebounds to go along with it. Former Atlanta Hawk Joe Johnson is averaging almost 11 points per game.

Tuesday night will be an early test in seeing how reliable the Hawks depth is, and to test it against a team of Brooklyn's nature isn't too bad to have to be in that scenario.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Tuesday, November 17, 7:30 p.m. ET

Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

TV: FOX Sports Southeast

Radio: 92.9 The Game FM