Kris Dunn made his long-awaited Atlanta Hawks debut, coming off the bench during the early stages of Monday's meeting with the Detroit Pistons.
Dunn, 27, has missed the entire season thus far after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle in December. He signed a two-year, $10-million deal with Atlanta this past offseason following a three-year stint with the Chicago Bulls.
Originally the Minnesota Timberwolves' fifth overall selection in 2016, Dunn is a combo guard and defensive specialist whose return should boost a Hawks roster currently without Trae Young.
Numerous absences have beset Atlanta this season, with Young the latest to be sidelined after suffering a Grade 2 ankle sprain in a loss to the New York Knicks on April 21.
Young isn't expected to miss significant time, and both Cam Reddish (Achilles) and De'Andre Hunter (knee) are progressing amid long-term recoveries from their respective ailments. Tony Snell has missed the last eight contests due to an ankle issue.
Dunn was one of several offseason acquisitions the Hawks' front office made alongside Danilo Gallinari, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Rajon Rondo, Solomon Hill, Nathan Knight, and Snell.
The Providence product boasts career averages of 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over four seasons with the Timberwolves and Bulls. He narrowly missed out on NBA All-Defensive second-team honors after finishing 11th in voting following the 2019-20 season.
The Southeast Division-leading Hawks visit Detroit seeking their 12th win in 15 outings. A victory will vault Atlanta above the Knicks for fourth in the Eastern Conference.
