Kobe Bufkin powers Hawks to win over Heat in Summer League opener

In filling up the stat sheet, Bufkin provided an energizing presence helping to erase a 13-point deficit.

“Just really the team,” Bufkin said. “I feel like offensively, we looked pretty (good). And normally, that’s not normal coming out in summer league. Usually, it’s a lot of turnovers and stuff. But with the fast offense that we play, I feel like we maintained it well and it was successful.”

Bufkin pushed the Hawks’ pace and aggressively attacked the basket in the second half, showing much of the promise that led the Hawks to select him 15th overall.

“He kind of organized our group in that fourth quarter,” Hawks Summer League coach Bryan Bailey said. “You know, when we went on that run, he kept pushing the ball, and then when he got five, he made his free throws. So we kept this together. He was the leader.”

With just under a minute and a half to play, Bufkin dribbled down court at full speed, looking to go up and hit a quick shot. But with the Heat’s Kel’el Ware taking up space, Bufkin quickly put on the brakes then whipped a pass along the baseline to forward Eli N’diaye for a 3-pointer. It gave the Hawks a 96-93 lead and solidified their Summer League opener.

Bufkin missed his second season at Summer League last year because of a shoulder injury, one that eventually forced him out of the regular season. So, the third-year guard has been waiting for an opportunity to get out and showcase why the Hawks drafted him.

“I think just being around,” Bufkin said. “I was hurt, but I was paying attention a lot, watching a lot of film, breaking down each game that the Hawks played, the big dogs played.

“So I understand the system through and through, I feel like so just being able to pour my knowledge in where I can when the coaches need me, I think that’s a big reason why we’ve been able to be successful.”