Good news for Hawks: Lou Williams clears protocols

Atlanta Hawks guard Lou Williams (6) gets past Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner, right, for a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Atlanta Hawks guard Lou Williams (6) gets past Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner, right, for a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

For the Hawks these days, no news is good news.

Especially with COVID-19.

Thursday was the second consecutive day that no Hawks player tested positive and had to be put in the NBA’s health and safety protocols.

“Thank God,” Hawks coach Nate McMillan said.

The Hawks did get some actual good news Thursday, with Lou Williams coming out of the protocols. He will be available for Friday’s game against the Cavaliers. Williams entered the protocols Dec. 22.

The Hawks still are facing a roster ravaged by the latest wave of the coronavirus. Currently, the Hawks have a roster of 26 players, with 11 players out because of the health and safety protocols and two players out with long-term injuries. Nine players are on 10-day contracts.

The Hawks game against the Cavaliers is the second of a six-game road trip. The Hawks have played the past two games, both losses to the Bulls, with the minimum of four rotation players available in Trae Young, Cam Reddish, Clint Capela and Skylar Mays (two-way). Williams gives the Hawks five rotation players.