Nance Jr. is the kind of rock-solid reserve big man every team wishes they had, the Hawks will miss him.
Larry Nance is rock solid as a reserve big man. Watch the Hawks during their four-game winning streak, and it’s obvious how much his 9.5 points and high IQ play matter to the team.
Which is why they will miss him for a while as he suffered a “fractured fourth metacarpal bone in his right hand,” the Hawks announced on Monday. He will undergo surgery on Thursday to repair his hand.
This is Nance’s second hand surgery and he likely will be out around a month, according to Jeff Stotts of In Street Clothes.
Re: Larry Nance Jr.: This marks the second time in his career Nance has sustained a 4th metacarpal fracture. He broke his left hand in 2021 & missed 12 games after surgery. Average time lost for the injury is 14.4 games (~34.25 days).
— Jeff Stotts (@InStreetClothes) December 30, 2024
Atlanta has plenty of depth at the five. Nance’s use has been limited this season because he is behind Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu, but like a veteran, Nance has been ready when called upon. Nance’s role expanded during the current winning streak because Okongwu has been out with a knee issue.
Nance is on an $11.2 million contract for this season, and the 31-year-old will be a free agent next summer.
