Atlanta Hawks guard DeMarre Carroll has a bone bruise; Doubtful for Game 2

DeMarre Carroll on the floor holding his knee in pain.

After losing Game 1 and trailing 1-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Atlanta Hawks and their fans were hoping to receive some good news about DeMarre Carroll, who left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury.

According to various reports and league sources, it looks like basketball gods answered the team’s prayers as Carroll’s status has been announced as “questionable” for Game 2, which is far better than the being ruled out for the season.

“An MRI on his knee has shown no structural damage and he hopes to play in Game 2 on Friday,” Carroll’s agent said on Thursday.

Sources who have been monitoring Carroll's situation closely characterize it as "best case scenario." Small bone bruise/mild hyperextension.

— Kevin Arnovitz (@kevinarnovitz) May 21, 2015

DeMarre Carroll has been diagnosed with a hyperextension of the left knee. No structural/ligament damage. Bone bruise. Questionable for G2.

— Kevin Arnovitz (@kevinarnovitz) May 21, 2015

Despite being the only non-All-Star starter on the Hawks, Carroll is of huge importance to the team and their hopes of capping off a great season with an NBA Championship. He guards the opponent’s best wing player and provides Atlanta with instant offence.

At the time of his injury in the fourth quarter, it didn't seem possible that Carroll could make it back to the floor for the series, but the news of him returning to play in the series is a huge boost for the Hawks.

Atlanta are already short on good versatile one-on-one wing defenders on their roster, courtesy of the season-ending leg injury to Thabo Sefolosha, so they would be impatiently waiting for Carroll to return to the floor.