Al Horford will undergo surgery to repair his torn right pectoral muscle on Tuesday and will miss the rest of the season, including the playoffs, according to multiple Hawks sources.
The surgery to repair a complete tear of the muscle will be performed in Atlanta.
According to the sources, Horford will not return to action if the Hawks make the postseason, even if they advance past the first round.
Horford suffered a tear of the left pectoral muscle 11 games into last season. He returned, though not at 100 percent, in the middle of the Hawks’ first-round playoff series loss to the Celtics.
This month, he was injured with 1:35 remaining in the first overtime of the Hawks’ double-overtime victory over the Cavaliers on Thursday. He was hurt when he got tangled with the Cavaliers’ Anderson Varejao.
An MRI and examination by Dr. Michael Bernot of Peachtree Orthopaedics in Atlanta on Friday confirmed the extent of the injury. The Hawks listed Horford as out indefinitely while they took several days to explore options before a decision on surgery was made.
Horford has not spoken with reporters since the injury.
Teammate Paul Millsap called the injury “heartbreaking.” Fellow teammate Kyle Korver spoke to Horford after the diagnosis.
“Al is such a positive person,” Korver said. “Just in life, he is a really positive guy. He’s in good spirits. He is disappointed. He’s been through this before. He’s had a similar injury. He is going to get back out there as soon as he can.”
Horford led the Hawks in scoring (18.6), rebounds (8.4), shooting percentage (.567) and blocks (44).
The Hawks are 1-1 without Horford. They won at home in overtime against the Bobcats on Friday and lost at the Magic on Saturday.
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