Thabo Sefolosha will miss his eighth straight game with a left groin injury as the starting forward will not be able to play Monday at the Trail Blazers.
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer still remains optimistic that Sefolosha could play Wednesday at the Clippers before the All-Star break. However, the team will monitor Sefolosha in the next two days and consider the additional extended break.
The Hawks upgraded Sefolosha to questionable on the team injury report Sunday after he went through a practice.
“I’m still hopeful,” Budenholzer said. “We’ll see with another day or two. … I think he’s getting close.”
The Hawks have missed Sefolosha’s defensive presence. Rookie DeAndre Bembry has gotten extended playing time as the fourth wing.
No Schroder
Point guard Dennis Schroder was not on the court for the Hawks’ final possession with 3.5 seconds remaining in Friday’s 108-107 loss at the Kings. The Hawks went with Tim Hardaway Jr., Paul Millsap, Kent Bazemore, Mike Dunleavy and Kris Humphries for the final play. Dunleavy subbed for Schroder and Humphries subbed for Bembry.
According to Budenholzer, the final play was designed to go to Hardaway or Millsap. Hardaway drove to the basket on the final play but could not score on the drive. Hawks players and coaches believe he was fouled on the play.
“There were two looks – one to Timmy, one to Paul,” Budenholzer said when asked about the final play on Monday. “We just put a bigger guy to inbound the ball and needed a bigger guy to set the screen and Dunleavy was the shooter. Those were the two main looks.”
No Sanders
Former NBA player Larry Sanders has been considering a comeback after he left the game during the 2014-15 season while with the Bucks. The center has reportedly worked out for the Lakers.
According to a person familiar with the situation, the Hawks are not a team with interest.
