Bazemore to miss rest of season

Hawks eliminated from the playoffs Sunday.

Hawks veteran guard Kent Bazemore will miss the rest of the season with a bone bruise in his right knee, the team confirmed Monday. Bazemore suffered the injury Sunday during a game against the Bulls at Philips Arena.

The Hawks (20-47) were officially eliminated from the playoffs Sunday and have 15 games remaining. Their final game is April 10.

Bazemore, 28, had a down season in 2016-17, his first after signing a four-year, $70 million contract. But he’s been arguably the Hawks’ best player this season while starting 65 games at shooting guard. Bazemore is the team’s best perimeter defender, its second-leading scorer (12.9 points per game) and leader in steals (1.5).

The Hawks had qualified for the playoffs in each of the past 10 seasons, the second-longest active streak behind San Antonio’s 20. First-year Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk has avoided signing veterans to longterm contracts and is rebuilding the roster with a focus on acquiring draft picks and young players.

The Hawks will have at least two and as many as three first-round picks in the 2018 draft. Their own pick will be in the draft lottery, with the odds to be determined by the final standings.

The Hawks also will own the Rockets’ first-round pick via a previous trade. The Hawks will own Minnesota’s first-round pick if the Timberwolves (39-29) qualify for the playoffs. If the Timberwolves finish in the lottery this season, the Hawks would acquire the pick if Minnesota made the playoffs in either of the next two seasons.

Morris injured: Hawks rookie Jaylen Morris is expected to miss about two weeks after he suffered a left ankle sprain Sunday against the Bulls, according to a person familiar with the prognosis. The Hawks had signed Morris to a second 10-day contract before the game. If the Hawks want to retain Morris after the current deal expires they would have to sign him at least for the rest of the season.