Al Horford said there is a chance his dislocated right pinky finger will prevent him from playing in Game 2 Wednesday.
The Hawks All-Star center suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Nets Sunday. He returned for the final six minutes of the Hawks’ 99-92 win with his pinky and ring fingers taped together. X-rays were negative for a fracture but Horford said there is considerable pain.
“I think there is still some question about it,” Horford said Monday when asked directly if he would play Game 2. “But I’m going to keep treating it and hopefully I’ll be ready to go.”
The Hawks held a film session and players went through treatment. Horford said his wife even acted the trainer treating him with ice and Epsom salts at home after the game. He said he got little sleep once the adrenalin wore off hours later. Two days off between the first two games in the series will help.
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer would not commit to Horford being able to play.
“We’ll see how he makes progress today and again tomorrow, see what he can do in practice,” Budenholzer said. “We’ll continue to monitor him and hope for the best.”
Horford finished with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds in Game 1. However, he was 1 of 6 from the field in the second half. Horford said the taping on his fingers, which will need to continue, had the most impact on his shot. He worked on getting comfortable with his shot Monday.
“The way I shoot the ball it disrupts how I grab the ball,” he said. “I just have to get used to that.”
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