{
  "id": 8994691,
  "title": "Hawks rookie C Henri Veesaar has a torn ACL",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/hawks-rookie-c-henri-veesaar-has-a-torn-acl",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-21T19:59:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/breaking-news/article/hawks-rookie-c-henri-veesaar-has-a-torn-acl-195955676.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Atlanta Hawks rookie center Henri Veesaar has sustained a torn right ACL, the team announced on Monday. The injury occurred during a workout on September 15, with imaging confirming the diagnosis. Veesaar, a 7-foot center, was expected to secure a rotation spot behind established center Onyeka Okongwu. Standing at 7 feet, Veesaar could protect the rim and stretch the floor. During his junior year at North Carolina, he averaged 17 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game, shooting 42.6% from three-point range. Initially projected as a late first- or early second-round draft pick in June, Veesaar fell to No. 52 in the NBA Draft due to reports from his agency that he wouldn't sign a two-way contract. The Hawks have not disclosed a recovery timeline, meaning his entire rookie season is now at risk. The team is set to kick off their regular season on October 21 against the Orlando Magic, following a season where they finished sixth in the Eastern Conference and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the eventual champion New York Knicks.",
  "summary": "The news is a blow for the versatile rookie center whom the Hawks hoped would secure a rotation spot behind starting center Onyeka Okongwu.",
  "key_points": [
    "Atlanta Hawks rookie center Henri Veesaar tore his right ACL.",
    "Injury occurred during September 15 workout, confirmed by imaging.",
    "Veesaar's rookie season is at risk due to the torn ACL."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}