With the Atlanta Hawks missing De'Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic on Tuesday, guard Kevin Huerter was thrust into the starting lineup. Despite a 110-98 loss to the Utah Jazz, the 23-year old was ready to play and put up a season-high 28 points on 11-for-18 shooting with three rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and six three-pointers. For Huerter, it was the first time he scored over 20 points or took more than 10 shots this season, and it shows what he is capable of when given the opportunity. Unfortunately, the Hawks have so much depth it will prevent Huerter from reaching these heights consistently. If Hunter and Bogdanovic miss more time, the 2018 first-round pick is a good streamer, but he can't be trusted as a season-long asset right now.

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (shin) and guard Kevin Huerter (ankle), both listed as probable, are available for Thursday's game against the Wizards. Bogdan Bogdanovic (ankle) and Lou Williams (ankle) will also play. There was little doubt that these four would be able to suit up, so it's not particularly surprising to see that they'll take the court for a favorable matchup with Washington. Young is the center of the Hawks universe and should be treated as a must-start option whenever healthy. Bogdanovic, Huerter, and Williams have each played lesser roles to start the season- and are lukewarm options for fantasy purposes.

Atlanta Hawks guards Trae Young (shin) and Kevin Huerter (ankle) are both expected to play in Thursday's game against the Washington Wizards. Both players are listed as probable while dealing with minor injuries. Also, Lou Williams (ankle) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (ankle) are listed as questionable to suit up on Thursday. That means, Young and Huerter could be asked to shoot the ball more than normal. Fantasy managers should check back closer to game time for better information.

Atlanta Hawks guard Kevin Huerter (ankle) said on Monday that he is nearly 95 percent healed from his offseason surgery. He underwent a surgical procedure on his ankle shortly after the season ended. The Hawks are likely going to have Huerter limited when they open up training camp on Tuesday. De'Andre Hunter (knee) is still recovering as well, but those two are expected to be key wing players for this team. Huerter having more upside and appears further along in his recovery.

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk moved quickly to lock down Nate McMillan as the full-time coach, reaching an agreement to remove the interim tag only two days after team's season ended. The deal comes after McMillan, in his interim role, led the team to an improbable run to the Eastern Conference finals. Schlenk said Monday that “an agreement in place in principal” was reached earlier in the day with McMillan. “We’re just drawing up the contract,” Schlenk said. The team is expected to officially announce the deal on Tuesday. Details were not immediately available. McMillan, 56, was named interim coach after Lloyd Pierce was fired when the team had a 14-20 record. The Hawks enjoyed an immediate turnaround under McMillan. They played better late in games, protecting leads while posting a 27-11 mark that gave them the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. It was Atlanta's first playoff berth since 2017. The Hawks were underdogs in beating the New York Knicks... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — As the final seconds ticked off on a season that lasted far longer than anyone expected, the crowd rose to its feet to salute the home team. The Atlanta Hawks sure earned the cheers. Making an improbable turnaround from what looked like another lost year, the Hawks earned a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2017, knocked off the top-seeded team in the East, and made it all the way to the conference finals. The Cinderella run finally ended Saturday night with a 118-107 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, who won the series 4-2 and advanced to the NBA Finals to take on the Phoenix Suns. But the disappointing finish did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of a long-downtrodden franchise that seems poised for more long-term success than at any time since moving to Atlanta in 1968. “This is the beginning,” Trae Young said. “We have the city excited and we want to keep it like that.” The Hawks will likely bring back largely the same cast next season, though they do have two major... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Lou Williams was on the training table when his coach walked up to deliver some rather startling news. Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young would not be able to play Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals because of an injury. Williams would be getting the first playoff start of his long career. “OK,” he replied. That's it. No big deal. “It's not like a ‘Remember The Titans’ thing happens in the locker room, I can promise you that," Williams said with a wry smile. ”That was the extent of our conversation, and then we had to get ready for the game." Boy, was he ready. Williams stepped into Young's enormous shoes and guided the Hawks to a 110-88 rout of the Milwaukee Bucks, evening the Eastern Conference final at two wins apiece Tuesday night. Williams led the way with 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting, dished out eight assists and had just one turnover in 35 minutes of playing time — his most extensive outing since the 34-year-old guard was acquired by the Hawks at the trade deadline.... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Trae Young will miss the Atlanta Hawks' Game 4 of their Eastern Conference finals against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night due to an ankle injury. An MRI on Monday revealed Young suffered a bone bruise in his right ankle. He is being held out despite participating in a shootaround early Tuesday. Young suffered the injury late in the third quarter of Sunday night’s 113-102 Game 3 loss when he stepped on referee Sean Wright’s foot and turned his ankle. The Bucks lead the series 2-1. Without Young, the Hawks' task of rallying in the series became significantly more difficult. Lou Williams is starting at Young's point guard position. Young has averaged 29.8 points and 9.5 assists in the postseason. He scored 48 points in Atlanta's Game 1 win over the Bucks and had 35 points despite the injury in Game 3. Young returned in the fourth quarter. Despite making one 3-pointer, clearly was limited by the injury. He said after the game he injury limited “my blow-by speed.” “That’s... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Trae Young will miss the Atlanta Hawks' Game 4 of their Eastern Conference finals against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night due to an ankle injury. An MRI on Monday revealed Young suffered a bone bruise in his right ankle. He is being held out despite participating in a shootaround early Tuesday. Young suffered the injury late in the third quarter of Sunday night’s 113-102 Game 3 loss when he stepped on referee Sean Wright’s foot and turned his ankle. The Bucks lead the series 2-1. Without Young, the Hawks' task of rallying in the series became significantly more difficult. Young has averaged 29.8 points and 9.5 assists in the postseason. He scored 48 points in Atlanta's Game 1 win over the Bucks and had 35 points despite the injury in Game 3. Young returned in the fourth quarter. Despite making one 3-pointer, clearly was limited by the injury. He said after the game he injury limited “my blow-by speed.” “That’s a big part of my game,” he said. Hawks coach Nate McMillan... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — John Collins' value to the Atlanta Hawks' championship hopes — and in free agency — can't be fully measured by his points and rebounds. To better appreciate the power forward's vital role, try to imagine the Hawks' matchup against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference finals without Collins' size and athleticism. Game 1 of the series is Wednesday night in Milwaukee. The Bucks are favored by seven points by FanDuel Sportsbook. in a physical conference semifinal series against Philadelphia in which the 76ers seemed to try and bully Collins and the Hawks, he posted double-doubles in the last four games of the conference semifinal series. Collins had 14 points, 16 rebounds, Atlanta's only blocked shot and a steal in the 103-96 series-clinching Game 7 win on Sunday night. “I’m glad I got to experience something like this,” Collins said. “It’s a legendary moment for myself personally.” Collins saw the potential for the Hawks to return to the playoffs... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks may be without their top 3-point shooter with their season on the line. Bogdan Bogdanovic's status is uncertain for Sunday night's Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series at Philadelphia due to a knee injury. Bogdanovic left Friday night's 104-99 home loss to the 76ers in the fourth quarter with right knee soreness and did not return. Coach Nate McMillan said Saturday the soreness is not related to the fracture in the same knee which forced Bogdanovic to miss 25 games early in the season. Asked if he is optimistic Bogdanovic can return for the decisive game of the series, McMillan said “I really don’t know or have an answer to that question. ... We’ll see how he feels later today and tomorrow.” Bogdanovic struggled before leaving Friday night's game. He made only 3 of 11 shots and scored only seven points. After scoring 22 points in Game 4, he managed only six points in Wednesday night's Game 5 win. “Basically this came about in the last game or... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Doc Rivers isn't revealing his plan for replacing Danny Green in the Philadelphia 76ers' lineup. Rivers said Sunday “some of the unintended good consequences of having injuries during the regular season” are having options for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night. Green's injury is a big loss for Rivers, but the coach has a deep bench. Green is expected to miss at least two weeks after straining his right calf early Friday in a 127-111 win over the Hawks. The 76ers took a 2-1 lead in the series, putting Atlanta behind in a series for the first time in this postseason. Hawks coach Nate McMillan is trying to avoid putting added pressure on his players. “I think all games are must-wins,” McMillan said Sunday. “If we don’t get tomorrow night we still have another chance in Philly, but you want to take advantage of your home court.” Matisse Thybulle was Rivers' first choice to replace Green in Friday night's game. Thybulle... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — John Collins already has seen what playoff success has done to raise the hometown excitement for the Atlanta Hawks. Collins is eager for the opportunity to build more enthusiasm now that the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers has shifted to Atlanta. With the series tied 1-1, Game 3 will be played on Friday. There is less heading into Friday's Game 3 matchup between Phoenix and Denver. The Suns hold a 2-0 lead over the Nuggets in their Western Conference semifinal in a series that Phoenix seems to be in total control. In Atlanta, the Hawks announced a sellout on Thursday for Game 3 and said only a few seats remain for Monday's Game 4. The Hawks have won 13 consecutive home games, the longest active streak in the NBA. The streak includes two home wins as Atlanta beat the New York Knicks in five games in the first round. Collins said he found evidence of Atlanta's playoff fever at his neighborhood gas station. “I go into the same gas... [More]

Phoenix's Deandre Ayton had Guy Fieri leaping out of his courtside seat with a thundering dunk. Atlanta's Trae Young had Spike Lee leaving early in disappointment. Dallas' Luka Doncic impressed Paul George so much that the Clippers’ veteran insisted on trading jerseys with the youngster. They’re all part of the NBA’s draft class of 2018. And that group, so far, might be the class of these playoffs. Doncic is gone, but plenty of others — Young, Ayton, Michael Porter Jr., Mikal Bridges, Kevin Huerter, Bruce Brown and more — from the group that got drafted three years ago remain. And they’ve seemed right at home in this postseason, even though for many it’s the first time on this big a stage. “I think it’s the best class in NBA history,” Ayton, the Phoenix center who went No. 1 overall in that class three years ago, said after the Suns won their first-round series over the 2020 NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. “That’s how I feel. ... Guys like Luka, MPJ and Trae, it’s been great to watch us... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks spent three miserable years totally rebuilding their team, all with the idea of finally making a big move this season. Yet, as the All-Star break approached, they were limping along with one of the worst records in the NBA. Coach Lloyd Pierce was fired. Nate McMillan took over as the interim boss. Suddenly, the Hawks looked like a totally different team. It all paid off Wednesday night, when Atlanta clinched its first playoff berth since 2017 by rallying for a 120-116 victory over the Washington Wizards. “This is what I came down here for, to try to help this team get to the next level,” said McMillan, who figures to get serious consideration for coach of the year honors despite his interim tag. “These guys have stood up and accepted that. I'm just thrilled to death that I can be part of this.” The Hawks aren't the only newcomer to the playoff scene. The New York Knicks snapped an even-longer drought, securing their first postseason berth since 2013 when... [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) — 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]