The Hawks have upgraded the status of Lou Williams to day-to-day. The move clears the way for the veteran guard to return from a torn right ACL as soon as Friday’s game against the 76ers.
Williams has been listed as out since he underwent surgery in January.
The move is not a guarantee that Williams will play Friday, only that he will be available. Lineups, including those players designated as inactive, are due 60 minutes before the start of a game. The Hawks also play at the Knicks on Saturday. They have four games each of the next two weeks.
The Hawks are likely to be mindful of Williams’ minutes initially. He only recently was medically cleared for full contact practice. Coach Mike Budenholzer said Wednesday the last hurdle in Williams’ return was to get in game shape.
“I think the only way you can do that is playing games,” Williams told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Wednesday of getting in game condition. “We can do this (workout) stuff all day. We are still working toward to figure out what day we’ll be set to return. That’s up to them.
“Medically, I’m cleared. Everything else is just basketball. Whenever coach feels like he is ready to throw me out there, that’s on him.”
Williams’ year ended after just 39 games last season when he tore the ACL Jan. 18 against Brooklyn. Such an injury typically takes about 9-12 months to a year to heal. Williams appeared in 39 games for the Hawk last season. He averaged 14.1 points, 3.6 assists and 2.1 rebounds. He will bolster the Hawks backcourt when he returns giving Budenholzer another option at both guard positions.
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