Atlanta Hawks Guard Dennis Schröder Hopes to Play in Friday's Home Opener Against the Nuggets

By Noriel See, Christian Post Contributor Wednesday, October 25, 2017

The Atlanta Hawks probably won't get Dennis Schröder back until Friday at the earliest.

The fifth-year pro has been sidelined since he sprained his left ankle late in the fourth quarter of their game against the Brooklyn Nets last Sunday, but he said he will "probably" suit up for the Hawks when they take on the Denver Nuggets in their home opener this Friday.

This means Schröder's going to sit out the game against the Chicago Bulls this Thursday. He also missed the match against the Miami Heat on Monday.

Schröder doesn't want to miss games due to injuries early on this season, but he's lucky to have avoided a serious ankle injury. The German guard went down with the injury after he stepped on Nets guard Caris LeVert's foot and rolled the ankle while he was driving to the basket for a layup.

"I tried to get the contact, get the foul, you know. And I tried to throw it up and tried to jump off of my left foot, but then I rolled it. It's just basketball and it happens sometimes," Schröder said of the play that led to the injury, via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Schröder is the best player on the roster by a sizable margin, so they will certainly feel his absence. Malcolm Delaney should continue to get the start at point guard while Schröder continues to recover from the sprained ankle.

"That's a role that I've always played so I'm comfortable playing it," Delaney said on Sunday. "As a backup you just have to be prepared for anything and it's unfortunate. Hopefully Dennis is good but that's part of my job. Just got to stay ready and figure out whatever," he added.

Journeyman point guard Josh Magette and second-year pro Isaiah Taylor should get some playing time as well.