Hawks’ Johnson back from elbow surgery
Hawks guard Joe Johnson will return to the lineup two weeks ahead of schedule after having right elbow surgery. Th efour-time All-Star will start Friday night against Charlotte at Philips Arena.
“The therapy just went great, the swelling’s gone down,” Johnson said. “We’ve just been shooting (with) no pain. It’s just feeling great, so I just didn’t feel like it was necessary to wait another two weeks and leave the guys hanging out there like that when I can really get out there and give ‘em everything I got.”
Johnson had surgery to remove a loose body from his elbow at the beginning of December. He had been expected to be out four to six weeks. His return was so unexpected that coach Larry Drew thought trainer Wally Blase was kidding when he told Drew that Johnson could go Friday.
The Hawks went 5-4 in his absence but have lost three of the last four.
The return comes at a fortuitous time. Guard Jamal Crawford will miss his second consecutive game with a back injury.
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217 comments Add your comment
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
12:06 am
Good to win tonight, but our 4th quarter performance, outside of MARVIN, was not tremendous
NOT ENOUGH BALL MOVEMENT!!
TOO MAY UNCONTESTED SHOTS FOR THE OPPOSING TEAM!!!!
Ramon
December 18th, 2010
12:09 am
O’Brien, I couldn’t believe Kenny Smith said the Knicks are as good as the Hawks. Even Barkley wouldn’t concede to that one. The Knicks aren’t close to the Hawks (at full strength).
i_am_soulstar
December 18th, 2010
12:09 am
Man, I’m ashamed of how I gushed at the screen when we got to Taco Mac and I saw Joe throwing a oop to Josh. So glad that JJ’s back, although I hope he’s not rushing it.
i_am_soulstar
December 18th, 2010
12:11 am
That’s bull$hit. The Knicks cannot see the Hawks when the Hawks are all healthy. However, it’s not tough to see how Kenny would arrive at that conclusion. The Knicks had been kicking ass.
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
12:14 am
SOLID 4th qtr by Marvin, but dude dribble is ugly to watch. he doesn’t bend over at all. He is upright trying to dribble the ball at his waist.
Anyway, are there any teams watching him play these last 2 games that would trade for him?
I’d LOVE to get Lowry here somehow. Maybe Adelman somehow wants Bibby back?
lewis
December 18th, 2010
12:45 am
didn’t see the game tonight
my mother called,
“you wouldn’t believe what I did tonight”
“what?”
“We went to the Hawks game”
my dad,
“both teams sucked”
“our seats were horrible i couldn’t see the game”
“the hawks are no good”
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
12:46 am
LOL again @ Section 303
We do not win this game at home tonight without Joe Johnson playing
lewis
December 18th, 2010
12:47 am
the knicks have a pg and pf and have athletic guards
the hawks have 2 pf’s and 1 athletic guard
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
12:51 am
What’s up with people arriving in expensive seats in the 2nd and 3rd qtr? Why do people get season tix or pay good money for tix they aren’t fully utilizing?
Section 303
December 18th, 2010
9:53 am
JeJe, I think you need to take a look at that Bobcat roster. This is no attempt to knock Joe Johnson. But, the Hawks win that game with their hands tied behind their backs.
I’ve been wondering who the worst team in the league is. I found the team. It plays in Charlotte. That team is horrible. They are built like the Hawks of ‘05-’06 (13-win team).
Ken Strickland
December 18th, 2010
11:35 am
SECTION303-Maybe you should consider taking heed of JJ’s statement, and start CARING LESS about a statement that was obviously uttered out of frustration. At this point, it’s starting to reflect more about you than JJ.
northcyde
December 18th, 2010
2:39 pm
Uh Oh
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5932861
northcyde
December 18th, 2010
2:52 pm
And they’re still talking to Washington about Arenas by trading Rashard Lewis?
Like I said in the summer, this is a nuclear arms race in the Eastern Conference. And keep your eyes on the Knicks. They still have some tough games left. If it is obvious to them that they can’t beat the top level teams, they’ll make that move for Melo, by trading the big expiring contract of Eddy Curry, Gallanari, and probably someone else.
The trio of Amare, Melo, and Felton is NOT what we want to see in the East. And if Orlando can finish their moves, this is their potential new lineup
PG – Nelson
G – Arenas
F – Richardson
F – Turkolgu
C – Howard
Orlando, if they can accomplish that, aren’t playing around one bit. And they once again become a major problem in the East.
Phoenix has officially given up on the season. If there is ever a time to make a move to get Steve Nash, it is right now. Do it before someone else does.
Brian Hurley
December 19th, 2010
3:41 am
He returned against Charlotte and showed that he still can’t shoot anymore.
Brian Hurley
December 19th, 2010
3:46 am
Nash can’t do anything for this team.
He is a bottom 5 defensive player in the league and he’s old and just about to decline.
Jrue5
December 19th, 2010
10:20 am
I heard Jmoove has finanical problems already. His house is for sale….
Guido
December 20th, 2010
11:44 am
Joe needs to become a playmaker until his stroke comes back