The Hawks are healthy — as much as a team can be after season-ending surgeries to three players.
Paul Millsap returned to the Hawks’ lineup Friday after the All-Star forward missed the past five games with a bruised right knee. He started against the Warriors giving the Hawks their leading scorer and rebounder as they have lost four consecutive games and 12 of their past 13.
Millsap declared he was “ready to roll” following a morning workout at a San Francisco health club.
“It’s been tough, but I had to learn how to control it,” Millsap said. “Some things are out of your control and you have to sit back and deal with it.
“We were being more cautious in making sure the problem doesn’t re-occur. Now, we all feel comfortable about it.”
Millsap suffered the injury Feb. 21 in Detroit when he banged knees with a Pistons player. He returned to the game, but experienced swelling in his knee following the flight to Atlanta. An MRI exam was negative.
Coach Mike Budenholzer said there would be an undetermined minutes restriction on Millsap.
“We’ll work him back into playing shape and make sure that his knee continues to be in a good place,” Budenholzer said.
The Hawks also had Pero Antic available. The center missed 17 consecutive games with a stress fracture in his right ankle before returning in Wednesday’s loss to the Trail Blazers. Antic said his ankle was sore following the game against the Trail Blazers. Budenholzer said there were no ill effects that would prevent Antic from playing.
The Hawks, who have used 17 lineups this season, are at full health with the current roster. Al Horford, John Jenkins and Gustavo Ayon have all been lost for the season.
Brand starts: Even with the return of Millsap and Antic, veteran Elton Brand remained in the starting lineup at center, at least against the Warriors. Brand started the past eight games since the loss of Ayon.
“With both Paul and Pero working themselves back into shape, I think with our bigs, we’ll be figuring out how we want to use them and the rotation,” Budenholzer said. “It’s a work in progress.”
Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver and DeMarre Carroll joined Millsap and Brand in the starting lineup. The Hawks used the lineup in one other game this season and won.
With a healthy roster, Budenholzer preferred to use Brand off the bench.
TV change: The Hawks game at the Pacers on April 6 will be televised by NBA TV. Game time is 6 p.m.
The network dropped the Grizzlies at Spurs game.
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