Pero Antic is a step closer, minus a walking boot, to a return to the Hawks’ lineup.
Friday was the first day the forward/center was cleared to go without the protective gear after suffering a stress fracture in his right ankle two weeks ago. The original diagnosis called for Antic to be out two to four weeks.
There is no timetable for when Antic may return to practice. A doctor cleared Antic to go without the walking boot Thursday. “We’ll go step-by-step,” Antic said. “The doctors know the best. They will tell me when it’s going to be.”
Antic will not participate in next Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge as part of All-Star weekend in New Orleans. Antic was selected for the rookie-sophomore exhibition game two weeks ago.
“I don’t want to go there just to play and make my injury worse,” Antic said Friday afternoon of his status for the game. “I want to be ready for my team. I will talk with (Hawks general manager Danny Ferry), the medical staff and then we will decide what is best for me and for the team.”
Hours later, following practice and treatment, Hawks management informed the NBA that Antic would not be able to play in the game. The league later issued a release that Antic had been replaced by the Suns’ Miles Plumlee. Antic is expected to attend the All-Star weekend in New Orleans, even though he will be unable to play.
The Rising Stars game will be played three weeks after Antic’s injury diagnosis was made. Plumlee has averaged 9.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 49 games (all starts) for the Suns.
Antic said the next step in his rehabilitation will be to ride the exercise bicycle. How his ankle reacts to the workouts will determine when he can return to practice. Antic will continue to lift weights with a regimen for his upper and lower body.
“Unfortunately he’s not running the 100-yard sprint,” coach Mike Budenholzer joked. “We’ll see how he progresses.”
Millsap out sick: Paul Millsap missed Friday's practice with an undisclosed illness. The All-Star forward is listed as day-to-day before the Hawks host the Grizzlies on Saturday.
“I don’t know a whole lot of the severity of Paul’s illness,” Budenholzer said. “We are all hoping that he will be available (Saturday).”
The Hawks already are thin in the frontcourt without Al Horford and Antic. Millsap had 21 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals in a 108-101 loss at the Grizzlies last month.
More All-Stars: The Hawks also will be represented at the All-Star game by head athletic trainer Wally Blase. He will serve as the trainer for the Eastern Conference. The head trainer for the host team represents his conference. The trainer for the other conference is determined by a rotating system based on seniority.
“It’s an honor,” Blase said. “Just to be around all the guys in a relaxed atmosphere is awesome.”
Blase, in his 14th season with the Hawks, last served as the East’s trainer when the Hawks hosted the event in 2003.
Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins will again team with the Heat’s Chris Bosh and the WNBA’s Swin Cash to defend their Shooting Stars title.
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