Atlanta Hawks: Josh Smith doubtful for Game 3 with knee injury
A person with knowledge of the prognosis for Josh Smith said the Hawks forward is doubtful to play in Game 3 against the Celtics Friday after he suffered a left knee injury in Game 2 Tuesday.
The person said Smith has patellar tendonitis with inflammation in the injured area but an MRI revealed no structural damage. If Smith misses Game 3 he likely would return for Game 4 Sunday in Boston, according to the person.
The person did not want to be identified because the Hawks have not released details of Smith’s injury. The Hawks released a statement that said Smith is day-to-day with a “strained left tendon.”
Smith suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of Atlanta’s 87-80 defeat to Boston. He appeared to pull up limping after a layup attempt and later aggravated it while jostling for rebounding position with Boston’s Kevin Garnett.
Smith played through nagging injuries during the regular season. Smith and Jeff Teague were the only starters to play in all 66 games.
“I know Josh is a guy if it’s just hurting him, he’s going to play,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said before Smith’s MRI results were known. “He has that kind of toughness. But if it’s a situation where he positively, absolutely can’t play, then he won’t be out there.
“I’m always worried in these situations. He’ s just been so good for us and certainly he’s a key component in order for us to have success. With both of your centers out and looking at your power forward being injured, I’m hoping for the best. ”
The Hawks also are without Al Horford (pectoral) and Zaza Pachulia (foot). Horford has ruled himself out for the entire series but there is a chance Pachulia can return if the series is extended.
Drew said Smith’s injury has no bearing on the timetable for Horford and Pachulia.
“I ask every day how they are doing, but me asking and wanting them back is not going to speed up the process whether they are ready or not,” Drew said. “If they are ready and they can play I am sure they would play. If Josh is not ready to go, and if Zaza and Al are not ready, I will just have to be without all three guys and we will march on. As bad as I want those guys back, if those guys aren’t ready to play I can’t push it or pressure them into playing.”
If the Hawks have to play without Smith, they’d be left with no effective low-post scorers or help defenders in the frontcourt. Ivan Johnson would be about it as far as big men who can rebound.
Drew’s options for the lineup would include starting Johnson at power forward alongside Jason Collins or going small with Marvin Williams, Vladimir Radmanovic or Tracy McGrady at power forward.
None of those options is likely to do much to help Atlanta’s anemic offense. Smith’s ability to score in the post and ignite the fast break after rebounds have been the most reliable options for the Hawks in this series.
“We have to make a decision who to insert into the starting lineup,” Drew said. “It changes the matchups. Defensively, we would have to make adjustments. Offensively we are certainly going to have to do some things differently. As far as posting up, he’s the guy I’ve really been going through a lot. We would have to tweak things quite a bit.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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Atlanta Hawks: Josh Smith doubtful for Game 3 with knee injury – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) · Sport 411:.. champions league, fabrice muamba, real madrid, tottenham, barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester united, chelsea
May 2nd, 2012
4:54 pm
[...] rest is here: Atlanta Hawks: Josh Smith doubtful for Game 3 with knee injury – Atlanta Journal Constitution … Share this:No related [...]
Slimjr
May 2nd, 2012
5:05 pm
Free T-Mac!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Larry must go………………..
ICYMI: Long Psych ER Waits; Loose ‘Giraffe’ Caught | WBUR
May 2nd, 2012
5:07 pm
[...] – Atlanta Hawks high-flying forward Josh Smith is doubtful for Friday’s Game 3 against the Celtics in Boston. [Atlanta Journal-Constitution] [...]
Slimjr
May 2nd, 2012
5:18 pm
Best passer and smartest baller played for 5 mins in a crucial pivotal playoff game?
Stupidity rains supreme..This coach is putting his [personal feelings] ahead of the team?
Go back to assisting.. Or go coach a high school squad..
No wonder Woody does not talk to this jackanap…
Not Michael the con and Ham.
May 2nd, 2012
5:18 pm
It sad that this season’s MVP Josh has to miss anything at all. The man has made this season worth something. I hope JJ and Ivan step up in his place. This team has too much talent not to compete in the next two games.
JOHN DREW
IS
WITHOUT A
CLUE!
Al horford is doing his world famous houdini trickchit again. Dude is worthless. We are a much better team with out him. He has never amounted to much in the playoffs(10pts 7 rbs) or All Star game (5pts 3 rbs). Hes laying out again just like he did last summer. Probably somewhere humping Mrs. Camel Toe. We get nothing from this scrub.
Atlanta still needs a point guard and a center. JJ is at small forward where he belongs and Josh is a top 3 powerforward. Teague is a shooting guard and we still dont have a center.
Give the hawks a chance.————-
Fire Sund
Fire Drew
Fire Mike Con & Ham
Fire Al Horford.
Mel
May 2nd, 2012
5:20 pm
Will the 18 million dollar man (Joe Johnson) step up and take over the game, like someone who is making that kind of money.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 2nd, 2012
5:25 pm
Al horford is doing his world famous houdini trickchit again. Dude is worthless. We are a much better team with out him. He has never amounted to much in the playoffs(10pts 7 rbs) or All Star game (5pts 3 rbs). Hes laying out again just like he did last summer. Probably somewhere humping Mrs. Camel Toe. We get nothing from this scrub.
Atlanta still needs a point guard and a center. JJ is at small forward where he belongs and Josh is a top 3 powerforward. Teague is a shooting guard and we still dont have a center.
Cosign
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
May 2nd, 2012
5:27 pm
“JOHN DREW
IS
WITHOUT A
CLUE!”
NO wonder we traded him for Nique.
Some of us know
May 2nd, 2012
5:30 pm
Fire TS
Josh Smith Injury: Atlanta Hawks’ Season Hangs on Star’s Health | :: Sparxxrx LLC ::
May 2nd, 2012
5:31 pm
[...] Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Josh Smith’s injured knee makes him doubtful for Game 3 in Boston. [...]
Not Michael the con and Ham.
May 2nd, 2012
5:37 pm
Some of us know – Sautee!
Not Michael the con and Ham.
May 2nd, 2012
5:39 pm
Dept of of got me again on D irony…..
Thats
Larry Drew
Making Hawks Fans….
Blue…
Orville Wright
May 2nd, 2012
5:41 pm
Fire Sautee!
Buddy Grizzard
May 2nd, 2012
5:46 pm
“Set aside anything personal, and understand that T-Mac might just save YOUR DAMN JOB.”
Josh’s minutes will go to Marvin and vlad. Ld has no fear of losing his job.
Shooter
May 2nd, 2012
5:52 pm
Someone tell me what T-Mac does well ?
He doesn’t rebound, play defense, hit shots, dribbles too much………
He is way past his prime and just a guy…..
tyger
May 2nd, 2012
6:16 pm
We’ll see what Hawks made of …papier mache my guess..
Excuses at the ready…no Horford, no ZaZa, no Josh…no hope.
Don’t see Doc Rivers rolling over…
No Wilcox, no Oneal, no Rondo, no Allen…no Quit!
Emphasis on KG, Rondo, Pierce, but Doc not hesitant to turn to…
Dooling, Smeitsma, Pietrus, Bradley, Pavlovic and guess what?
They respond, know their roles, play within themselves…
Doc doesnt yank them b/c they miss a shot…
He’s playing to win…he has old dogs…
We’re just outclassed…looking at blowout in Beantown
Wilborn/Kornheiser just roasted Smoove on circus dunk.
Added to the several missed long jumpers and that…
Just sucks the life outta your team… inspires the other team
He lacks the mental acuity to appreciate the challenge before him.
I guess b/c he’s taking heat…he’ll want to get traded this off-season…
So be it, if this is all we can expect year after year…
Then take your talent to Timbuktu…and take JJ with you…
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 2nd, 2012
6:16 pm
If Sund was offered a deal [for doing nothing], I’m sure LD will be back next year too
Rod from College Park
May 2nd, 2012
6:20 pm
“Someone tell me what T-Mac does well ?”
Everything better than Marvin does. Marvin has played 35 minutes in both playoff games, and TMac has played 20 minutes, yet TMac has scored more points, has more assist, more blocks, been to the freethrow line more, and has only been outrebounded by Marvin by 2 rebounds. TMac also was able to slow down Paul Pierce, while Marvin has been abused everytime he guards him.
Disgusted
May 2nd, 2012
6:26 pm
Glad the Celtics came back last night, could not happen to a more deserving ownership.
Sad about Josh Smith but hopefully he gets a chance to play elsewhere someday. A place where he can win.
Don’t want to take it out on the athletes, but I want the Spirit, or whatever they call themselves now, to not be very good.
I want to see Gearon Jr with egg on his face and that confused puppy look again.
Disgusted
May 2nd, 2012
6:28 pm
And, I want Josh to take care of that knee and not dameage it further.
Glad that Rondo is back, he got a bad deal in game 1, the ref set him up.
Disgusted
May 2nd, 2012
6:29 pm
As a Celts fan, I still think the Hawks have a shot, the Celts have to close these guys out and not let up.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 2nd, 2012
6:31 pm
To all you people who incredulously want to just tank Friday’s game and go for game 4, did Boston QUIT last night in the 3rd quarter, down 2 HOFers, down 11 points? No.
Shame on all of you.
If Marvin has one decent game (which for him will be 16 points), it will be Friday night
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 2nd, 2012
6:35 pm
““Someone tell me what T-Mac does well ?”
Everything better than Marvin does. Marvin has played 35 minutes in both playoff games, and TMac has played 20 minutes, yet TMac has scored more points, has more assist, more blocks, been to the freethrow line more, and has only been outrebounded by Marvin by 2 rebounds. TMac also was able to slow down Paul Pierce, while Marvin has been abused everytime he guards him.”
Only people who can’t see this are Larry Drew and maybe Marvin’s family.
Mike D
May 2nd, 2012
6:42 pm
OH now everybody is on the T Mac bandwagon! Funny somebody need to let LD know whats really good. Tracy could have won the Hawks this game 2 if he coulda played some kind of consistent minutes he could have created some offense for the lack of playmakers on this team.Josh is the second best passer an he is the power forward for the hawks! Man LD MUST BE LOSING HIS MIND RUNNIN THE STARTERS LIKE THAT give my dude T Mac a chance he knows how to play in these type of games a veteran who have won many big playoff games on his shot alone. All Im saying is gotdammit play T Mac
tyger
May 2nd, 2012
6:50 pm
Sautee: Good observations…
Unlike others, my beef with LD is that during that time…
He didnt go deep enough into the bench…
At that time, Marvin, Willie, Hinrich had done nada…
The starters were walking up the floor…
Doc countered with Dooling, Pietrus, Hollins all with fresh legs…
While Pargo, TMac, Stackhouse, Vladi, Dampier sit frozen…
And my point is not that they are better players, but fresh legs…
We were stagnant, could not score, couldnt keep up…
TMac, Stack, Dampier have been there before…
Have fresh legs…if they cant play 5-10 min…
Why are we paying them, this is what they are for…
TMac, Stack have shown repeatedly they can still play…
Not big minutes, we just need a contribution, buy time…
I dont like it, no BIGs and Dampier doesnt play at all…
LD acts like we cant use a 6′11, 260 bruiser at all…
Just stupid…he reverted to Woody and cost us…
I like Ivan, but Ivan is a situational, complimentary player…
Good in spurts…LD has to recognize who’s on and who’s not…
He’s stuck in his 8 man rotation thats not working!
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 2nd, 2012
6:52 pm
“He’s stuck in his 8 man rotation thats not working!”
More like a 10 man rotation
Mike D
May 2nd, 2012
6:58 pm
Just Jumpers cant do ii by himself…nah without J Smoove its over unless T Mac gets some playing time they beat teams in the regular season by letting Tmac close out games so whats the problem now!
Rod from College Park
May 2nd, 2012
7:08 pm
“OH now everybody is on the T Mac bandwagon! Funny somebody need to let LD know whats really good. Tracy could have won the Hawks this game 2 if he coulda played some kind of consistent minutes he could have created some offense for the lack of playmakers on this team.”
You obviously have not been on this blog regularly. This has been an ongoing thing the whole year, that has been discussed here many times.
drmaryb.(*_*).
May 2nd, 2012
7:15 pm
Genius!
“Prosperity conceals genius – Adversity reveals it.” – author unknown -
________
This adversity is an opportunity for Mr. Drew to shine his noggin; and pull a few rabbits out of his hat. Coach has three days to draw up five plays and, teach them to perfection. Coach has to sell it to the players and, they have to buy it.
More than that, they have to execute for 48 relentless minutes on both ends. Stackhouse, TMac, Vlad, Marvin and Eric is walking through that door. They may pull of one, maybe two wins. Problem is – we need three.
Prayer works.
SG
May 2nd, 2012
7:43 pm
Give T-Mac a chance in the starting 5. I still believe if he wants it he gets it done offensively as long as sharing the ball, shooting the basketball, drawing fouls. Or defensively he knows every kind of move kobe bryant pulls so paul pierce is not a concern for him. he can also defend post-ups.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 2nd, 2012
7:55 pm
“To all you people who incredulously want to just tank Friday’s game and go for game 4, did Boston QUIT last night in the 3rd quarter, down 2 HOFers, down 11 points? No.
Shame on all of you.”
Haha. If the Hawks lose by less than 10 points I’ll publicly apologize. But to be honest, I didn’t think they would win that game even with a healthy Josh. Without a healthy Josh, they have no chance. I think there’s a lot more to be lost (injury-wise) by playing the starters in that game than there is to be gained.
Blast
May 2nd, 2012
7:57 pm
Calm down, folks. Josh is a warrior. He will be out there for game 3.
O'brien
May 2nd, 2012
8:07 pm
Rod,
Also, when Marvin was in the game (in the 4th, if I’m not mistaken), they tried to run the offense through him. Two things happened. 1) He passed the ball like it was a hot potato and 2) He missed his shot.
Najeh,
No way we should ease up for game 3. Its not like we wont have Saturday to recover, so Hawks need to go hard on Friday night, and let the chips fall where they may. If we lose on Friday, we just have to play desperate on Sunday.
LD needs to ride his starters if he has to. Pierce played 44 minutes yesterday. And although JJ did a good job defensively on him in game 1, and played well in the first half yesterday…LD only played Joe 38 minutes.
Walt Frazier
May 2nd, 2012
8:08 pm
If Larry starts Marvin, then that rewarding bad play. Larry may start Marvin because he may not have a choice. Let’s say he starts Marvin and he continues to be a buster, then Larry will yank him quick and insert Ivan. Knowing from past experience-Larry will be out coached and make the dumb move by doing nothing. All that fighting for home court meant nothing. The Hawks will drop the next one.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 2nd, 2012
8:13 pm
Marvin’s D has been really pathetic this series, especially since he is playing a guy (Pierce) who doesn’t have the quickness to exploit Marvin’s poor balance. They don’t have a choice but to play him, since he’s probably the 2nd best healthy PF on the team, but he shouldn’t start. Put T-Mac in the starting lineup and see if he has the juice to offset the loss of Josh for one game.
Mikew109
May 2nd, 2012
8:29 pm
i got faith in hawks through thick n thin thin,still win this series no matter how bad the situations look.
Not So Casual Observer
May 2nd, 2012
8:31 pm
TMac is a dim shadow of his former self and can no longer take a defensive player off the dribble but LD should give him a chance if Josh is out.
The difference in the 2 teams Tuesday was on defense. The Celtics doubled Joe at every opportunity and were intent on taking him out of the game.
The Hawks were being lit up by one player and yet Pierce was consistently open against a straight-up defense from the Hawks with no imagination. The Hawks should study the Celtics “D” from game 2 and use it against Pierce.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 2nd, 2012
8:39 pm
People on here want us to tank a PLAYOFF game.
Would Lakers, Spurs, Mavs, or Thunder fans want the same?
No
Loserville
steven a smith
May 2nd, 2012
8:46 pm
Joe Johnson..Joe Johnson….Joe Johnson..need i say more, this guy is a MAJOR SCRUB when you need him most. No respecct for his game…
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 2nd, 2012
8:54 pm
In 2 months, assuming we don’t win an NBA Championship, we will see a Q&A with Moron Jr or Sund, in which they claim you can’t evaluate this year’s team because there were injuries. You will hear Sund on the radio too saying the same thing. It’s like when the Falcons lose in the 1st round every year and you hear Smitty’s postgame remarks.
SSDY
Man in Black
May 2nd, 2012
8:56 pm
START T-MAC – THIS IS WHY YOU SIGNED HIM – tell him now he’s starting – this is his chance to show how great he is 1 more time.
Grandad
May 2nd, 2012
9:20 pm
Tendonitis = non structural
I`m not gonna try & be doc or Mary Ellen here
-but-
having a son who has undergone seven knee surgeries
-yes-
I said seven.
Plus having coached all those years, not to mention a surgically repaired
[torn ACL] amongst other torn stuff in my own knee.
What worries me, and should worry the Hawks organization:
would be Josh favoring his inj knee by playing before it is strong,
thereby putting undue strain & excess pressure on his ‘`good`’ knee
`tis possible, if not likely, to injure [severely] his ‘`sound`’ knee.
Were it my decision to make;
I would err on the side of caution.
Rev in Tampa
May 2nd, 2012
9:33 pm
I seem to remember last year how LD stupidly gave the second game of the series against Orlando away by enforcing the 2-foul rule against Horford. Just when we were about to commit hari kari the Hawks came out and won in Orlando.
I think the odds are considerably more stacked against the Hawks now, but one thing every one of us on this blog have come to learn the hard way is that the only consistent attribute of this team is that they are unpredictable.
If Josh is able to play the Hawks starting 5 (even with Collins starting!!!!) are better than the Celtics starting 5. They have won 7 of the 8 quarters they have played against them during the playoffs.
The Hawks need to trust each other when the Celtics start playing their 4th quarter ferocious defense. The Hawks panicked and everyone played iso-ball. Every player tried to take the responsibility on their own shoulders when they were having difficulty scoring. I remember numerous stupid shots by JJ. I remember Teague getting close to the goal and throwing up the ball without even drawing iron. I remember Ivan driving into the middle of three celtics (including Bass and Garnett) and shooting a lay-up that was blocked.
If they had simply run the offense, the Celtics defense would not be able to rotate to the extra pass or they would have overplayed and missed assignments. A couple of easy buckets by the Hawks would have stopped the Celtics momentum.
What’s going to happen in game 3 if Josh is out? Marvin and Collins are the rim protectors because in LD’s mind rooks (Ivan) don’t start. I can’t bear to think about it…
CamiloAtlanta
May 2nd, 2012
9:35 pm
Another disappointing season it is.
Grandad
May 2nd, 2012
9:37 pm
*’`For`’*
Walt Frazier … today … 5/2/12 … 11:36 am
I would like to congradulate you sir;
on one of the best, most thoughtful and insightful posts
of which I have had the honor to read on this blog.
I would like to counter;
that Joe is perhaps just as difficult to coach as is Josh.
In his own quiet yet contrary [set in his own] way.
Thanks for the good read.
G-dad
O'brien
May 2nd, 2012
10:03 pm
So muc for winning game 1. Orlando was blown out in game 3 in Orlando. Assuming Orlando loses to Indy, I think SVG will be let go.
Spurs also blow out Utah.
Najeh,
Can Memphis rebound after a terrible choke job in game 1? Do you still want to stick with them as your pick to get to the NBA finals?
maler
May 2nd, 2012
10:22 pm
Hawks, Don’t know if you all watched the Braves tonight, but they provided a great example of heart. Maybe you all can do the same.
Mike D
May 2nd, 2012
10:40 pm
@Rod from College park I been reading dis blog all yr. An I see the love for T Mac but there is still some doubters that just now want to say play Tracy thats the same people that were happy when dudes like Marvin,Willie even Stack was coming of the bench before Tracy at one time.
iamceltic
May 2nd, 2012
11:04 pm
so i guess celtics in five game.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 2nd, 2012
11:12 pm
DrMary/Doc,
Are you knowledgeable about bone on bone? Could this German procedure save Brandon Roy perhaps??
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba–kobe-bryant-grateful-for-chance-to-chase-another-title.html;_ylt=AhOd7yx0fTyLS63hTi6GQfsLcykA;_ylu=X3oDMTFsYmxwdDFlBG1pdANCbG9nIEluZGV4IGJ5IEF1dGhvcgRwb3MDMQRzZWMDTWVkaWFCbG9nSW5kZXhUZW1w;_ylg=X3oDMTFrODdzYXZuBGludGw