Atlanta announced that 22‑year‑old rookie center Henri Veesaar suffered a torn right ACL during a September 15 workout and will miss the entire 2026‑27 season.
Atlanta Hawks rookie center Henri Veesaar was diagnosed with a torn right ACL and is expected to miss the 2026‑27 season, the team confirmed on Monday. The injury occurred during a team workout on September 15, and an MRI performed at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex verified the tear.
According to the Hawks’ statement, Veesaar will undergo surgery with Dr. Kyle Hammond at the same facility in October. The team said the recovery timeline for a torn ACL typically sidelines a player for the remainder of the season.
Veesaar, a 22‑year‑old 7‑footer, was selected 52nd overall in the June 2026 NBA Draft after Atlanta traded up from the 57th pick to acquire the selection from the Los Angeles Clippers. He spent two collegiate seasons at Arizona (2022‑23 and 2024‑25), redshirted the 2023‑24 campaign, and completed a final year at North Carolina before turning pro.
His rookie contract now includes a rehabilitation clause, and the Hawks will likely rely on veteran big men to fill the void in the frontcourt. Coach Quin Snyder praised Veesaar’s work ethic and said the team will support his recovery fully.
Field Level Media reported the same details, noting that the Hawks expect Veesaar to be unavailable for the entire campaign and will reassess his progress in the offseason.