Hawks center Gustavo Ayon had season-ending surgery on his right shoulder, the Hawks announced Friday.

Ayon has missed the past five games with the injury suffered Feb. 18 against the Pacers. He also missed the first eight games of the season with a right shoulder suffered during the exhibition season.

Ayon appeared in 26 games this season, including 14 starts, and averaged 4.3 points and 4.8 rebounds in 16.5 minutes.

The surgery was performed at Piedmont Hospital by Dr. Xavier Duralde and accompanied by Hawks team physician Dr. Michael Bernot from the Peachtree Orthopaedic Clinic, according the the team.

Ayon will now undergo a period of rest, treatment and rehabilitation.

The Hawks signed second-round pick Mike Muscala Thursday after working out a buyout agreement with his Spanish League team.

The Hawks claimed Ayon, and his one-year $1.5 million contract, off waivers this summer.

MORE TO COME

About the Author

Keep Reading

Asa Newell wears his Hawks jersey for the first time for portraits at Emory Sports Medicine Complex on Friday, June 27, 2025, in Atlanta. The former Georgia basketball forward was selected in the first round of the 2025 NBA draft. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle, assistant director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, says the the DOE rule change is “a slippery slope” for civil rights. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC