The Hawks upgraded Thabo Sefolosha to questionable ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Hornets. The starting small forward has missed the past eight games with a right groin strain.
Sefolosha told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Sunday that he was “getting close” to a return. The Hawks would have a full healthy roster once Sefolosha returns for the first time in a month.
Sefolosha took part in a five-on-five scrimmage following Hawks practice Monday.
“He is obviously making good progress,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “We’ll see how he responds and how he feels after this today.”
Budenholzer would not say whether the ideal situation would be to have Sefolosha play in at least one regular-season game before the playoffs start this weekend. The Hawks play at the Pacers on Wednesday after hosting the Hornets.
“We are going to see how he feels and weigh everything,” Budenholzer said. “I don’t know if there is an ideal when a guy has missed as much as he has and come back a game or two before the playoffs. We’ll try to make the best of it.”
Sefolosha took over a starting role midway through the season. He has appeared in 60 games, including 42 starts, and averaged 7.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 25.9 minutes. Rookie Taurean Prince has started the past eight games in place of Sefolosha, who missed nine games in February with a left groin strain.
The Hawks injury report also lists Kent Bazemore (right knee bone bruise), Malcolm Delaney (back spasms) and Paul Millsap (left knee synovitis) as probable.
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