Damien Wilkins was nervous after no one said anything to him about his status following Hawks practice Thursday.
His second 10-day contract was set to expire, and the team had to decide if they would sign him for the rest of the season. Wilkins didn't get word the Hawks would retain him until late at night.
"I got the call from my agent, and I didn't even want to answer when his name popped up on my phone," Wilkins said before the Hawks played the Knicks on Friday at Philips Arena. "I'm happy. It's like a dream come true. It takes a lot of pressure off of me. I can sleep better now."
Wilkins, the nephew of Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins, has appeared in 21 games as a reserve. Coach Larry Drew has cast him as a wing defender.
"He brings something to the table that I think we desperately need," Drew said. "He is an aggressive defender, and that's who he is. It is not one of those things where you have to keep preaching to him about doing that."
The Hawks originally signed Wilkins on Dec. 3, soon after guard Joe Johnson had elbow surgery. The Hawks waived Wilkins on Jan. 5, after Johnson had returned to the lineup and before the date contracts became guaranteed.
Wilkins signed 10-day contracts with the Hawks on Jan. 8 and 18. At this point, per NBA rules the Hawks had to sign Wilkins for the rest of the season in order to retain him.
Finding his rhythm
Hawks forward Marvin Williams returned to the starting lineup against the Knicks after he came off the bench in his first game in return from a back injury. Williams had been out since Dec. 29.
"I know his wind is not where it was before he got hurt, but he is going to have to get back in a rhythm," Drew said. "As we move closer to the All-Star break, I am going to need him."
Etc.
Hawks guard Mike Bibby started against the Knicks after missing Thursday's practice with a sore left thumb. ... With nine games left until the All-Star break, including Friday's game, Drew challenged the Hawks to win seven of nine. "Obviously we are going try to get all nine [and] 8-1 would be super, but we will not settle for anything less than 7-2," he said. ... Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, who are in town making a movie, attended the game.
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