ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Hawks forward Cam Reddish is expected to miss the opening round of the playoffs as he continues his extended recovery from an ailing right Achilles. The team said Thursday that Reddish has expanded his rehabilitation to include unrestricted individual workouts and limited participation in team practice. His status will be reviewed again in 10-14 days. “He warmed up with us,” interim coach Nate McMillan said after Wednesday's extended practice. “He's been doing a little shooting. But I haven't gotten anything that he'll be participating in practice with the team anytime soon.” The Hawks, who made the playoffs for the first time since 2017 as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, open a best-of-seven series against the New York Knicks on Sunday at Madison Square Garden. The No. 10 pick in the 2019 NB draft, Reddish started out the season in Atlanta's starting lineup, but he hasn't played since Feb. 21. Reddish averaged 11.2 points per game before missing the final... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Kevin Huerter will miss his second straight game with sprained left shoulder, dealing another blow to the injury-plagued Atlanta Hawks as they try to make a push for the playoffs. An MRI confirmed Huerter's injury. It's not known how long the swingman will be out, but he'll definitely be sidelined Friday when the Hawks play their second straight game in Philadelphia against the 76ers. Huerter is averaging 12.3 points a game. Atlanta was blown out Wednesday by the Sizers, losing 127-83 with a makeshift squad that was missing Huerter, Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic, as well as De'Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish and Tony Snell with longer-term injuries. Huerter injured his shoulder Monday in a loss at Detroit. The Hawks (34-29) are fifth in the tightly bunched Eastern Conference. They still have a shot at home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, but they are just as close to falling to a spot in the new play-in tournament. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks already were without point guard Trae Young when they learned that center Clint Capela would not be available Friday night against Miami. Capela, the NBA’s leading rebounder and the team’s third-leading scorer, has a back contusion. The Hawks announced Thursday that Young, their leading scorer and the league’s No. 3 leader in assists, would miss the game with a left ankle sprain. Interim coach Nate McMillan was counting on point guards Lou Williams and Brandon Goodwin and rookie centers Onyeka Okongwu and Nathan Knight to play significant minutes. Veteran big man Danilo Gallinari was a game-time decision with right foot soreness. “It’s a challenge because (Young and Capela) bring something you don’t have,” McMillan said. “What we’ve really had to do, as we’ve pretty much said, it’s next man up. You don’t have sitting on your bench what those two guys bring to the lineup as your starting point and your starting center and the way they’ve played this season.... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter continues to struggle with an ailing right knee, undergoing a nonsurgical procedure Monday to address lingering soreness. The team said Hunter will return to activity later this week. It's not known how much longer he'll be out after missing 29 of Atlanta's last 31 games. Amid a breakout second season with the Hawks, Hunter underwent arthroscopic surgery on Feb. 8. He was sidelined for 23 games before returning to the court March 22 against the Los Angeles Clippers. Hunter's return was short-lived. He played only two games before the knee began acting up again, causing him to sit out Atlanta's last six contests. The fourth overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft from Virginia, Hunter was emerging as one of Atlanta's top players at the time of his injury. He ranks third on the team in scoring (16.0 points per game), providing another offensive weapon to go with Trae Young and John Collins. The Hawks have been hit hard by injuries this season as they vie for their first playoff appearance since 2017. Collins, Cam Reddish and Kris Dunn are currently sidelined along with Hunter. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins will be out at least a week with a sprained left ankle, another blow to the injury plagued team. Collins was injure during during Tuesday night's loss at Phoenix. He underwent an MRI that showed a lateral ankle sprain and associated bone bruise. Collins has started low-level rehabilitation activities and will be reviewed in a week, ruling him out for at least five games. The team had two more games on its longest road trip of the season before a four-game homestand. The Hawks have dealt with a rash of injuries that have sidelines key players such as De'Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanovich and Cam Reddish for significant periods. Now it's the 6-foot-9 Collins, who is averaging 18.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while shooting 38% from 3-point range. Reddish hasn't played since Feb. 21 because of right Achilles soreness. While he has increased his lower limb weight room work and intends to add limited low level impact work, the team said he is at least two weeks away from returning. The Hawks were playing at San Antonio on Thursday night. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Hawks forward Cam Reddish had a nonsurgical procedure on Monday after missing six games with soreness in his right Achilles. Reddish was placed in a walking boot following the procedure at Emory Sports Medicine Clinic. His status will be updated in about one week. Reddish, a second-year player from Duke, is averaging 11.2 points in 26 games, including 21 starts. He is only one of a long list of injured players that helped to derail the first half of Atlanta's season, leading to the firing of coach Lloyd Pierce on March 1. Nate McMillan was named interim coach. Atlanta won its final two games under McMillan before the All-Star break and is 11th in the Eastern Conference at 16-20. On Friday, the Hawks announced forward De’Andre Hunter will miss at least two more weeks but has stepped up his rehabilitation from right knee surgery. He had surgery on Feb. 8. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — De'Andre Hunter's knee surgery is only the latest medical setback that threatens the Atlanta Hawks' efforts to end a streak of three consecutive losing seasons. The Hawks have been without guard Bogdan Bogdanovic for a month due to a knee injury. Hunter, enjoying a breakout season as the starting small forward, missed four games before Monday's arthroscopic procedure on his right knee. His status will be updated in two weeks. Atlanta (11-12) will be without the two starters when it plays at Dallas on Wednesday night. Hunter has emerged as one of Atlanta's top players in his second season. He is third on the team with 17.2 points per game, adding important scoring balance behind Trae Young and John Collins. Hunter's breakout has been especially important while the team awaits the return of Bogdanovic, who had been expected to provide scoring punch from the wing before fracturing his right knee. Coach Lloyd Pierce has been forced to make constant changes to his rotation. Forward... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Rajon Rondo is planning for a future in coaching. Maybe he'll get a shot as as a general manager. Not that he's ready to get started on those career goals just yet. After capturing his second NBA championship ring with the Lakers, the 34-year-old Rondo has moved on to the youthful Atlanta Hawks, where he will serve as a mentor to budding superstar Trae Young while providing valuable minutes off the bench for one of the league's more intriguing teams. For the first time in his long career, Rondo is the oldest guy on the team. “It's kind of weird to look at the roster and I'm the oldest date on the sheet," he said with a smile. “But it's a natural fit as far as mentoring these young guys. So many great veterans helped me become the player I am today. It's only right to give it back full circle.” Rondo has also been taking steps to get prepared for his post-playing life. He's constantly mentioned as a coach in the making. He also has his sights on running a team of his own as... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Bogdan Bogdanovic is tired of losing. In what seems a rather strange twist, he believes the Atlanta Hawks can make him a winner. “This is a perfect group for success,” Bogdanovic said Wednesday. “I can see only a bright future here.” The sharp-shooting guard was the prize of Atlanta's hefty free-agent class, which also included Danilo Gallinari, Rajon Rondo and Kris Dunn. They're joining one of the league's most intriguing teams, a franchise that has gone through a complete overhaul the last three seasons but now feels it is poised for major success. Gallinari was thrilled when the Hawks made a big pitch for him, even accepting an expected role coming off the bench after starting most of his career. “The young guys we've got are very, very good,” said Gallinari, who agreed to a three-year, $61 million deal. “If I didn't believe in these young guys, I wouldn't have picked the A-T-L. I really believe in the group that we've got. My focus since I've been playing basketball is... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Trae Young said it's going to take some time to adjust to the Atlanta Hawks' new mix following the additions of such veterans as Danilo Gallinari, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kris Dunn and Rajon Rando. “It’s not something that just happens overnight,” Young said Tuesday. “We’ve added a lot of new guys with different talents who bring a lot of different things to the game. It’s going to be fun learning and figuring out where they like the ball the best and things like that.” There's not much time to find the new mix. The NBA season opens on Dec. 22. The Hawks' preseason opener is Dec. 11. Just don't suggest to Young that it'll be an adjustment for him to share the ball with established shooters in Atlanta's lineup. Young was fourth in the league in scoring and shots from the field last season, but he's quick to note he also was second in assists. “Passing is nothing new for me,” Young said. “I love getting my teammates involved and when my teammates are open I’m going to find them... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Just like that, the Atlanta Hawks transformed themselves into a playoff contender. A team that averaged less than 25 wins the last three seasons added to its impressive young core with a whirlwind of free-agent signings, capped by the news late Tuesday that Sacramento would not match a four-year, $72 million offer sheet to Bogdan Bogdanovic. “It's go time,” tweeted Hawks All-Star guard Trae Young, clearly excited by the bulked-up supporting case he'll have around him in 2021. “Let's work!!!” Bogdanovic tweeted back. Flush with more cap space than any other team heading into free agency after beginning a major overhaul three years ago, the Hawks quickly signed forward Danilo Gallinari (three years, $61.5 million) and guards Rajon Rondo (two years, $15 million) and Kris Dunn (two years, $10 million). Then, after a proposed sign-and-trade that would have sent Bogdanovic to the Milwaukee Bucks fell through, Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk pounced at the opportunity to grab... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Just like that, the Atlanta Hawks transformed themselves into a playoff contender. A team that averaged less than 25 wins the last three seasons added to its impressive young core with a whirlwind of free-agent signings, capped by the news late Tuesday that Sacramento would not match a four-year, $72 million offer sheet to Bogdan Bogdanovic. “It's go time,” tweeted Hawks All-Star guard Trae Young, clearly excited by the bulked-up supporting case he'll have around him in 2021. “Let's work!!!” Bogdanovic tweeted back. Flush with cash heading into free agency after beginning a major overhaul three years ago, the Hawks quickly signed forward Danilo Gallinari (three years, $61.5 million) and guards Rajon Rondo (two years, $15 million) and Kris Dunn (two years, $10 million). Then, after a proposed sign-and-trade that would have sent Bogdanovic to the Milwaukee Bucks fell through, Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk pounced at the opportunity to grab the 28-year-old Serbian guard... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Lloyd Pierce sees improvement in each of the five players he calls the core of the rebuilding Atlanta Hawks.There is pressure for the coach to deliver proof of that growth. Pierce says it's time for a young team led by Trae Young to become a winner.Young averaged 29.6 points and 9.3 assists and earned the All-Star berth in only his second season. Young and John Collins give the team two young high-scoring starters and reason to hope a streak of three straight losing seasons will end.“The excitement is the possibility of what they can become as they continue to grow together,” Pierce said Tuesday. “I’m always focused on the big picture and it’s really about getting those guys to all be a we team and to play together and for us to grow in the same way these guys have done individually.”Pierce said in April the Hawks “need to make a major jump next year."Atlanta's 20-47 record provided no proof of improvement. The Hawks finished in a virtual tie for last in the Eastern Conference,... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo is spending much of his time during the coronavirus-imposed hiatus working out, helping care for his newborn son and playing occasional video games.What the reigning MVP isn’t doing very often is shooting baskets since the NBA has closed team practice facilities.“I don’t have access to a hoop,” the Milwaukee Bucks forward said Friday during a conference call. “A lot of NBA players might have a court in their house or something, I don’t know, but now I just get my home workouts, (go) on the bike, treadmill, lift weights, stay sharp that way.”The hiatus is forcing thousands of athletes, pro and otherwise, to work out from home as they try to keep in shape. Equipment varies from player to player, too.“It all comes down to what they have and what they’re capable of doing,” Atlanta Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce said. “We can do a lot of body weight stuff. That’s how they stay ready. That’s the most I can offer as a coach for them to stay ready. I can’t say ‘Hey,... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo is spending much of his time during the coronavirus-imposed hiatus working out, helping care for his newborn son and playing occasional video games.What the reigning MVP isn’t doing very often is shooting baskets since the NBA has closed team practice facilities.“I don’t have access to a hoop,” the Milwaukee Bucks forward said Friday during a conference call. “A lot of NBA players might have a court in their house or something, I don’t know, but now I just get my home workouts, (go) on the bike, treadmill, lift weights, stay sharp that way.”The hiatus is forcing thousands of athletes, pro and otherwise, to work out from home as they try to keep in shape. Equipment varies from player to player, too.“It all comes down to what they have and what they’re capable of doing,” Atlanta Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce said. “We can do a lot of body weight stuff. That’s how they stay ready. That’s the most I can offer as a coach for them to stay ready. I can’t say ‘Hey,... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — John Collins had 33 points and 13 rebounds, rookie Cam Reddish scored 17 of his career-high 26 points in the third quarter, and the Atlanta Hawks handed the Brooklyn Nets their third straight loss with a 141-118 victory Friday night.Trae Young, ranking second in the NBA in scoring and assists, finished with 22 points and assisted on 14 baskets to help Atlanta, the league's second-worst team, snap a two-game skid. The Hawks hit 19 3-pointers and finished 48.7% on treys despite beginning the game as the league's worst team beyond the arc.The Nets gave up a season high in points. They pulled within six on Caris LeVert's layup early in the fourth, but got no closer the rest of the way after Jeff Teague and Kevin Huerter answered with baskets that pushed the lead back to double digits. Spencer Dinwiddie scored 24 points to lead Brooklyn, which began the game seventh in the Eastern Conference before dropping six games under .500. It had won eight straight over the Hawks and five... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Jeff Teague says he couldn't be happier to be back with his adopted hometown team.Teague, in his 11th NBA season, was hoping to return to his original club as a free agent this summer, but a trade from Minnesota two days ago landed him back with the Atlanta Hawks earlier than expected. No longer a starter, Teague entered Saturday's game against the Detroit Pistons midway through the first quarter to a modest standing ovation, playing alongside fellow point guard Trae Young, the NBA's third-leading scorer. The Hawks' plan, though, is to mostly use Teague as Young's primary backup.“I always wanted to come back," Teague said. "Those things just kind of run through your head. I looked at their team, their need and things like that. I thought they might need me, a backup veteran that can help a little bit and try to help lead the guys. I thought that would be my role.”Teague, who finished with 15 points and seven assists in 25 minutes in a 136-103 loss to Detroit, kept a home... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Jeff Teague says he couldn't be happier to be back with his adopted hometown team.Teague, in his 11th NBA season, was hoping to return to his original club as a free agent this summer, but a trade from Minnesota two days ago landed him back with the Atlanta Hawks earlier than expected. No longer a starter, Teague entered Saturday's game against the Detroit Pistons midway through the first quarter to a modest standing ovation, playing alongside fellow point guard Trae Young, the NBA's third-leading scorer. The Hawks' plan, though, is to mostly use Teague as Young's primary backup.“I always wanted to come back," Teague said. "Those things just kind of run through your head. I looked at their team, their need and things like that. I thought they might need me, a backup veteran that can help a little bit and try to help lead the guys. I thought that would be my role.”Teague kept a home in the metropolitan Atlanta area, even after getting dealt from the Hawks, whom he helped advance... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Jeff Teague says he couldn't be happier to be back with his adopted hometown team.Teague, in his 11th NBA season, was hoping to return to his original club as a free agent this summer, but a trade from Minnesota two days ago landed him back with the Atlanta Hawks earlier than expected. No longer a starter, Teague entered Saturday's game against the Detroit Pistons midway through the first quarter to a modest standing ovation, playing alongside fellow point guard Trae Young, the NBA's third-leading scorer. The Hawks' plan, though, is to mostly use Teague as Young's primary backup.“I always wanted to come back," Teague said. "Those things just kind of run through your head. I looked at their team, their need and things like that. I thought they might need me, a backup veteran that can help a little bit and try to help lead the guys. I thought that would be my role.”Teague kept a home in the metropolitan Atlanta area, even after getting dealt from the Hawks, whom he helped advance... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks have signed Paul Watson to a 10-day contract to add needed depth at forward.The Hawks were without forwards John Collins (back contusion), Jabari Parker (throat infection) and F Cam Reddish (right wrist sprain) in Saturday night's win over Indiana. The 6-foot-6 Watson, from Fresno State, has started 13 games for the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League. He has averaged 18.4 points and 7.4 rebounds. He played for the G League Westchester Knicks the last two seasons.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports