Josh Smith improving, but won’t return this week

The high ankle sprain that has kept Josh Smith out since Nov. 7 is improving but not to the point where he could return at the two-week mark, which is Friday.

It was originally considered a best-case scenario — that he might return in two to four weeks.

“He’ll still be another four or five games probably,” Hawks coach Mike Woodson said.

Smith, who’s out of his walking boot, has been walking on the treadmill for several days and hopes to take it up to running today.

“I want it to be two, three games [before a return], but I’m not going to risk injuring it again and being out longer, because it’s definitely boring,” Smith said. “It’s hard to see my teammates out there playing and I’m not able to contribute.”