Luguentz Dort came off Atlanta's injury report Saturday, upgraded from day-to-day to cleared ahead of the season opener at Indiana. The Hawks guard had carried a right knee issue since Monday but is set to play as the 2026-27 campaign begins.
What happened
The Hawks listed Luguentz Dort as cleared on their Saturday, Oct. 10 injury report, submitted at 5:45 p.m. ET, hours before tip-off at Indiana. Dort had carried a day-to-day tag since Monday, Oct. 5, when he first appeared on the report with a right knee issue. The report lists no further detail on the injury, and there is no accompanying comment. With the cleared designation, Dort has no restriction listed for the game at the Pacers.
What it means for the Hawks
Atlanta opens its 2026-27 season at Indiana on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET, and Dort's clearance means the Hawks have their regular wing available from the start. Last season he averaged 8.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 26.8 minutes over 69 games. Had he been held out, Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels were next in line for minutes, each logging more than 33 minutes a game, with Johnson averaging 22.5 points. The Hawks enter the opener at 0-0, since the season has not started, so there is no record yet with or without Dort on the floor.
What to watch
Dort is expected to play Saturday night at Indiana barring any change before tip-off. Atlanta's next injury report will show whether he keeps the cleared status or picks up any in-game designation. No recovery timeline applies, since he is no longer listed as injured, and no return date has been announced for any other reason. The schedule moves forward from there as the 2026-27 season begins.
Is Luguentz Dort playing at Pacers?
Yes. Dort was cleared on Atlanta's Saturday, Oct. 10 injury report, upgraded from day-to-day, and is expected to play in the Hawks' season opener at Indiana.
When will Luguentz Dort be back?
He is already back. Dort's day-to-day knee issue, first listed Oct. 5, was cleared on the Oct. 10 report, and no further absence has been announced.