Hawks lose Horford to torn pectoral muscle
Atlanta Hawks forward-center Al Horford is out indefinitely after sustaining a torn right pectoral muscle during Thursday night's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Horford underwent an MRI and examination on Friday by Dr. Michael Bernot at Peachtree Orthopaedics in Atlanta that showed a complete tear of the muscle.
"We will work with Al and complete our due diligence to determine the next best steps for him," Hawks president of basketball operations and general manager Danny Ferry said. "Injuries are part of the challenge of an NBA season."
The 27-year-old Horford was hurt in the first overtime when he went for a steal against Cleveland forward-center Anderson Varejao. Horford grabbed his right chest and left the game with a reported shoulder injury.
It is the second torn pec for Horford. He suffered the same injury to his left pectoral in January 2012 and returned four months later during the playoffs in May.
Horford was off to a strong start this season, averaging 18.6 points and 8.4 rebounds and shooting 57 percent from the field in 29 games.
His likely replacements are forward Elton Brand and center Pero Antic.
The Hawks also announced that guard John Jenkins remains out with low back pain.
