The Hawks will play the Mavericks tonight - minus Rajon Rondo.
The Mavericks announced Wednesday that the point guard had been suspended for one game for conduct detrimental to the team. Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle and Rondo exchanged words during the third quarter of Tuesday's game against the Raptors. Rondo was benched following the incident.
Following the game, Carlisle called the matter a "difference of opinion" and that he considered the matter closed.
Prior to Wednesday's game, Carlisle addressed the suspension. He said Rondo would be in the starting lineup on Saturday.
"I need to say this very clearly," Carlisle said. "He is an extremely important part of our team. Our efforts to get to the highest possible level largely hinge on him playing and him playing well. He needs to play well with us and we need to play well with him. It's a two-way street. The incident last night was borne, in large part, from poor communication between him and I. That is on both of us.
"We had a long talk about the situation today and we both agreed we need to communicate more frequently. We need to work on the solution for making his stint as a Dallas Maverick the most successful one possible. We are looking at 23 games (remaining) here. This is a critical time here."
The Mavericks acquired Rondo in a trade with the Celtics earlier this season.
The Mavericks will also be without Tyson Chandler (hip), Amare Stoudemire (rest) and Chandler Parsons (ankle).
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said he expects Jeff Teague to play. Teague missed Tuesday's practice due to illness.
