Hawks forward Josh Smith avoided the rash of injuries that hobbled the team during the regular season, but his luck has run out in the playoffs.
Smith suffered a sprained left knee Tuesday night during the Hawks’ 87-80 loss to Boston in Game 2 of their first-round series. A person with knowledge of Smith’s prognosis said he has patellar tendinitis and is doubtful to play in Game 3 on Friday, but could return for Game 4 on Sunday.
An MRI on Wednesday revealed inflammation but no structural damage, according to the person. The person did not want to be identified because the Hawks have not released details of Smith’s injury.
The Hawks released a statement Wednesday that said Smith is day-to-day with a “strained left tendon.”
Dr. Alexis Colvin, an assistant professor of sports medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York who has treated several professional athletes, said patellar tendinitis develops through overuse. Colvin, speaking generally about the condition, said that there can be risk of further injury because of weakness in the joint, but it’s possible for athletes to continue playing if they can tolerate the pain.
“It is something you can potentially play with if the symptoms are not that bad,” Colvin said.
It would be difficult for the Hawks to win without Smith, who was their best player in the first two games. The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1 with the next two games in Boston.
Smith’s absence would leave a hole in their already-thin frontcourt. Centers Al Horford (pectoral) and Zaza Pachulia (foot) also are out.
Smith suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of Game 2. He appeared to pull up limping after a layup attempt and later aggravated it while jostling for position with Boston forward Kevin Garnett.
Smith and point guard Jeff Teague were the only Hawks starters to play in all 66 regular-season games.
“I know Josh is a guy [that] if it’s just hurting him, he’s going to play,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said before Smith’s MRI results were known. “He has that kind of toughness. But if it’s a situation where he positively, absolutely can’t play, then he won’t be out there.”
The Hawks dealt with a series of injuries during the regular season, when seven players missed a total of 148 games because of injury or illness. They still managed to post the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference.
“It’s been one of those years,” Hawks forward Marvin Williams said. “[Smith] is a tough guy, so I’m not personally too worried about it. Hopefully he comes back fine.”
Horford, who hasn’t played since undergoing surgery Jan. 1, has ruled himself out for the entire first round. Pachulia has been out since suffering the foot injury April 13 but there’s a chance he can return for this series of it is extended.
If Smith misses Game 3, Drew’s options for the lineup would include starting rookie Ivan Johnson at power forward alongside Jason Collins or using a small alignment with Marvin Williams, Vladimir Radmanovic or Tracy McGrady. Erick Dampier, the only other healthy center along with Collins, has appeared in just two games since March 19.
None of those options is likely to do much to help the Hawks’ anemic offense against Boston’s smothering defense. Smith’s ability to score in the post and start fast breaks after rebounds were two of the more reliable options for the Hawks’ offense in the first two games.
“He’s just been so good for us, and certainly he’s a key component in order for us to have success,” Drew said. “With both of your centers out and looking at your power forward being injured, I’m hoping for the best. ”
About the Author
