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Monday, January 26, 2009
Horford is in Miami
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
MIAMI - Despite previous reports to the contrary from Hawks coach Mike Woodson, Al Horford did indeed make the trip to Miami with the Hawks for tonight’s game against the Heat.
But don’t get your hopes up.
Horford is not expected to play against the Heat or against the Knicks Wednesday in New York.
Still nursing a sore right knee that has cost him the last eight games, the Hawks’ starting center was not expected to make this trip. But something clearly changed between Woodson’s pregame media blitz Sunday afternoon.
Woodson said he believed Horford would be able to move from some light running to a full practice by Thursday, when the Hawks return from the trip. Since Horford’s on the trip, there is a chance he could work out with the Hawks Tuesday here in Miami before the team departs for New York.
That would push his potential return up a day or two as well, if he’s able to make it through a practice without any complications.
In each of the past two days Horford has said that he’s feeling “much, much better” and that he was hopeful that he’d be able to get on the floor sooner rather than later.
Woodson told our Carroll Rogers that Horford, “wants to play in the worst way, but we’re not going to push it just to get him back out there when he’s not ready.”
When that is suddenly becomes a hot topic with the Hawks desperately in need of their defensive anchor and the 10.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks he provides.
The Hawks have back-to-back games against New Jersey and in Milwaukee on Friday and Saturday, which would make for a tough turnaround for any player coming back from an injury like Horford’s.
If he doesn’t come back by this weekend, he’ll have three extra days to practice before the Hawks’ Feb. 4 game in Minnesota.
