Hawks first-round draft pick Lucas Nogueira has been diagnosed with severe tendinitis in his knees, his agent Aylton Tesch told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Friday.
Nogueira has been prescribed two months of rest. He will remain in Los Angeles to undergo rehabilitation and physical therapy before returning to Spain to continue playing this season. The center suspended his contract with his Spanish League team, Asefa Estudiantes Madrid, this month in order to seek treatment on his ailing knees.
Nogueira will not seek medical opinions from Hawks team doctors, his agent said.
Nogueira had been playing in the ACB League while the Hawks retain his rights. The 20-year-old appeared in six games this season. He averaged 5.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 17.5 minutes. He most recently played on Dec. 7 and had seven points and three rebounds in 15 minutes before leaving for Los Angeles to seek additional medical opinions.
The 7-foot center was taken with the 16th overall selection in June’s NBA draft. A native of Brazil, Nogueira returned for another season in the Spanish League to continue his development and add muscle to his 225-pound frame. He appeared in five summer league games for the Hawks and averaged 6.4 points and 6.0 rebounds.
Injury update: Cartier Martin (left ankle sprain) and Gustavo Ayon (left ankle sprain, leg contusion) did not play Friday against the Jazz. Martin, who is still walking with a significant limp, missed his second straight game. Ayon, who has completed post-practice workouts lately, missed his sixth straight game.
Reunions: There were several reunions at Philips Arena with the Jazz in town. Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll played for Utah last season before joining the Hawks as free agents this summer. Millsap spent his first seven seasons with the Jazz.
“It was a little disappointing,” Millsap said Friday morning of his tenure with the Jazz and how it ended. “Anywhere you go you want to win and you want to try to win big. I wasn’t able to do that so. I felt like I did all I could do and had to move on.”
Former Hawks first-round draft pick Marvin Williams played his first game as a visitor in Philips Arena. Williams, traded two summers ago, did not play here last season due to right knee inflammation.
The former No. 2 overall pick of the Hawks said this trip won’t be as emotional after having been back once before even if he didn’t play.
Williams had Achilles surgery in the offseason and said he is progressing in his return - which includes a position change to the power forward spot.
“I’m playing the 4 now,” Williams said. “I’m getting used to a couple different things on the floor. Here in Atlanta I spent a little bit of time there but never extended time. I’m still adjusting to a few different things. I’ve got the coaches in my ears because I’m so used to running the wings and I have to run to the rim now.”
Hawks guard Shelvin Mack and Jazz guard Gordon Hayward played together at Butler University from 2008-10 and were part of 2010 national finalist team.
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