Hawks' Johnson out, Bibby questionable with injuries

By Michael Cunningham

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Hawks have enjoyed good fortune with injuries this season but will have to do without their best player for at least a game and probably two.

Guard Joe Johnson (sore Achilles) didn’t accompany the team to New Jersey on Monday and has been ruled out for the game on Tuesday night. He’s also likely to miss the game at Toronto on Wednesday.

Guard Mike Bibby (back) made the flight but is questionable for Tuesday.

Johnson will miss his first game of the season and just his fourth since 2007-08. He wasn’t available for comment after practice Monday because he was getting treatment.

Hawks players have missed just 16 games due to injury or personal reasons this season, the lowest total by far in the NBA.

“I’ve always said when somebody goes down, it gives somebody else a chance to step up and play,” coach Mike Woodson said before Johnson was officially ruled out. “That’s why I tell guys they’ve always got to be ready.”

Woodson wouldn’t say how he’ll adjust the starting lineup.

Jamal Crawford could start in place of Johnson but Woodson prefers him to come off the bench. In that case, Mo Evans would start in place of Johnson at shooting guard.

If Bibby also is out on Wednesday and Crawford doesn’t start, then rookie point guard Jeff Teague would get his first start.

“Perfect” game is the blueprint

If the Hawks are serious about catching Orlando for the Southeast Division lead, then they will need more efforts like their performance against the Pistons on Saturday.

The Hawks were intense on defense, worked for good shots, controlled the tempo and played with energy. The Hawks jumped Detroit early, turned back a Pistons rally and won by 13.

“That was the perfect game for us down the line,” Hawks forward Josh Smith said, “except for the [17] turnovers.”

It’s not easy for players to stay sharp. The season is long. Bodies are tired and the schedule can be rough, like the four games in six days coming up for the Hawks.

“It’s tough,” said Hawks center Al Horford. “But you realize every other team is like that as well and a lot of these other teams aren’t playing for anything. You really have to focus in and get up and get motivated.”

Woodson said he understands what it’s like for players at this time of year since he used to be one of them. But as the coach of a team trying to make a breakthrough, Woodson said he wants the kind of effort he saw Saturday more often than just here and there.

“It comes down to who wants it the most,” he said.

The Hawks are 3 1/2 games behind Orlando in the Southeast with 17 to play and will probably need the Magic to stagger a bit even if they go on a run. Staying in front of Boston for No. 3 is becoming more important too, since the fifth-place Bucks are on a roll.

The Hawks can’t control what the Magic does, except for their final meeting on March 24 at Philips Arena. Woodson said the Hawks also can’t worry about their potential playoffs opponent.

“We’ve got to just get focused and get through the regular season and we will figure out that [playoffs] part then,” Woodson said.