Bibby's status still uncertain

By Ken Sugiura

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The decision on whether Hawks guard Mike Bibby will play against Orlando on Thursday will be a game-day decision.

Bibby, who sprained his left ankle in Saturday's loss to New Orleans, missed practice for a third consecutive day Wednesday. The decision will be made at the Thursday morning shootaround at Philips Arena, coach Mike Woodson said.

"We'll find out everything [Thursday], see how it feels, get out there, move a little bit," Bibby said.

If Bibby can't play, he would be the first Hawk to miss a game this season because of injury, not a small factor in the Hawks' 11-3 start. Woodson said he would decide Thursday whether he would start Jamal Crawford or rookie Jeff Teague in Bibby's spot if he can't play. Teague has practiced with the starting unit this week.

"I think it's going to make the game a lot easier when I get an opportunity to play with" the starters, Teague said. "When I get an opportunity to play with Joe [Johnson] and those guys, I really have a good feel with them."

Seeing red

The Hawks will debut their alternate road uniforms against Orlando, a bright red jersey with "ATL" across the chest in white.

"I love ‘em," center Al Horford said. "I'm pretty excited about it."

Johnson, Bibby and others will wear shoes to match the uniforms.

Of course, as Georgia football fans know well, alternate jerseys don't always bring fortune. The Hawks know it, too, having lost several games when they wore alternate yellow jerseys a few seasons ago.

Said forward Marvin Williams, "It seemed like every time we played in the yellow, it was a nightmare."

Still, Williams also encouraged fans to wear red to create a "red-out" look.

"That'd be sweet," he said. "When you come into an arena and it's set up like that, it's definitely fun."

In the spotlight

Players were equally revved about playing on Thanksgiving, a showcase game on TNT. Forward Joe Smith, a 14-year veteran, is playing in the first Thanksgiving Day game of his career.

"That's big," Crawford said. "I think Thanksgiving Day and Christmas are the biggest days [in the NBA schedule] besides the playoffs and opening night. I think that's the most exciting time. We'll be on in every household in the country that likes basketball."

Howard receives honor

Magic center and Atlanta native Dwight Howard received the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for October on Wednesday. Howard was named the month's winner for his community work and philanthropy.