Bazemore returns to Hawks starting lineup

Charlotte Hornets guard Marco Belinelli (21) works against Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Charlotte Hornets guard Marco Belinelli (21) works against Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Kent Bazemore will rejoin the Hawks starting lineup for Monday’s game against the Thunder.

The starting wing missed two games with a sore right knee. He came off the bench in the team’s last three games with increases of 15, 22 and 30 minutes.

Tim Hardaway Jr. started the past five games in place of Bazemore.

“It’s getting better,” Bazemore said Monday morning. “I’m moving a lot better out there, trusting it a lot more. I’m sure the minutes will still be monitored. Tim has been playing well and it will be good to get that spark off the bench offensively.”

Bazemore finished with 17 points, five assists, four rebounds and a block in the 30 minutes of the loss to the Hornets

“I think the time and managing his body and the knee, we feel good about it,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said.