Thabo Sefolosha to miss rest of season with broken ankle

UPDATE: Shams Charania now reports that Sefolosha actually suffered a broken tibia. Let the mourning continue.

More specifically, Thabo Sefolosha has sustained a fractured tibia in his leg, league sources tell RealGM. MRIs ongoing on other damages.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 9, 2015

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It hasn't been a banner week for Atlanta Hawks swingman Thabo Sefolosha, and things are even worse than previously thought, at least according to one report. Shams Charania of RealGM indicates that Sefolosha has suffered a broken ankle as a result of the incident in New York that ended in his arrest, and as a result, he will miss the remainder of the 2014-2015 season.

Atlanta's Thabo Sefolosha has been diagnosed with a broken ankle from NYPD incident early Wednesday, out for season, sources tell RealGM.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 9, 2015

Sefolosha has appeared in only 52 games this season, as he battled a long-term ailment to his calf, but this loss remains significant. He was acquired as insurance for the bench, especially on the defensive end, and his presence as a secondary defender against elite wing players (i.e. LeBron James) would have been a strong weapon for Mike Budenholzer to deploy in the playoffs.

For a snapshot, the Hawks were 11.4 points per 100 possessions better this season (per Basketball-Reference) when Thabo Sefolosha was on the court, and his absence will be felt. Atlanta will turn to some combination of Kent Bazemore and, potentially, Shelvin Mack in his stead, but neither can replicate the size and experience of Sefolosha.

It is important to note that the team has not confirmed this report at this time. In addition, details of just how Sefolosha suffered this injury will be a point of contention, given the unusual circumstances.

Stay tuned.