Clint Capela’s Limited Playing Time as Hawks Fall to Trail Blazers

On Sunday, the Atlanta Hawks faced a narrow 114-110 defeat against the Portland Trail Blazers. Notably, Hawks’ center Clint Capela saw a significant reduction in his playing minutes. Capela delivered eight points on 4-of-9 shooting, missed both of his free throw attempts, and contributed eight rebounds, three assists, one block, and one steal over 20 minutes of action.

The reduction in Capela’s court time has become a pattern, as he has recorded 22 or fewer minutes in four of his last five games. This trend raises questions regarding his role on the team, particularly in light of the competition posed by Onyeka Okongwu. Okongwu’s performance further highlighted Capela’s struggles, as the veteran center was outplayed during the match.

Despite retaining his starting position, Capela’s decreased presence on the court suggests a potential shift in the rotation strategy by the Hawks’ coaching staff. The changes could be aimed at integrating more of Okongwu’s skill set or addressing Capela’s recent shortcomings in performance.

The game’s outcome reflects broader tactical considerations for the Hawks as they seek to refine their lineup amid the ongoing season. As Capela’s minutes decline, it may hint at an evolving approach to the team’s utilization of their frontcourt talents.