The Hawks confirmed Monday that Henri Veesaar tore his right ACL and will miss the entire 2026-27 season. Atlanta opens the season at home against Memphis on Oct. 5 without its center, leaving Onyeka Okongwu and Kristaps Porziņģis to cover the minutes up front.
What happened
Henri Veesaar was ruled out with a right knee injury on the Monday, Sept. 21 injury report, the first appearance of the issue on that report. The Hawks center was diagnosed with a torn right ACL, and Atlanta announced Monday that he is expected to miss the 2026-27 season. The report lists the injury as knee, leg, right, with no previous status attached to the entry.
What it means for the Hawks
Atlanta opens its season at home against Memphis on Monday, Oct. 5 at 7:00 p.m. ET, and it will do so without Veesaar for the rest of the year. He does not have a season line on record yet, so there is no established production to replace. Onyeka Okongwu, who logged 31.0 minutes and 15.2 points, and Kristaps Porziņģis, at 24.3 minutes and 17.1 points, are the frontcourt options most likely to absorb the center minutes. The Hawks have not played a game this season, so there is no record to measure with or without him.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Veesaar's status changes. His expected return is listed as July 1, 2027, in line with the team's statement that he is expected to miss the entire 2026-27 season. Atlanta's next game is Oct. 5 against Memphis, the first of the season without him available.
Is Henri Veesaar playing vs Grizzlies on Oct. 5?
No. Veesaar is out for the season with a torn right ACL, and he will not play when Atlanta hosts Memphis on Monday, Oct. 5.
When will Henri Veesaar be back?
His expected return is listed as July 1, 2027. The Hawks have said he is expected to miss the entire 2026-27 season.