Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar will miss the entire 2026-27 NBA season after tearing his right ACL during a team workout on September 15, the franchise confirmed.
A cruel start before it even began
Veesaar, 20, was selected No. 52 overall by the Hawks in the 2026 NBA Draft after a standout season at North Carolina. The Estonian center was expected to contribute depth at a position where Atlanta had limited options. He never made it to opening night.
The Hawks announced that an MRI confirmed the diagnosis following evaluation at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex, where Veesaar will also undergo surgery next month with Dr. Kyle Hammond. Recovery timelines for ACL injuries in professional basketball typically run 9 to 12 months, which places his return firmly in the 2027-28 preseason at the earliest.
Thin at center
The timing is poor for Atlanta. While Veesaar was a second-round pick with no guarantee of immediate playing time, his absence removes a developing option from a roster that has limited depth in the frontcourt. The Hawks will need to look at their existing roster and potential free agent options to compensate.
Rookie ACL injuries before a debut season are among the most frustrating setbacks in professional sports. For Veesaar, the road back starts with surgery in October.
The Hawks open training camp later this week.
