Hawks forward Josh Smith was included on many lists of so-called "snubs" after he wasn't one of the seven All-Star reserves selected by a vote of Eastern Conference coaches. But Smith said he's not upset.

“The people around me, my family and friends, are more mad about it than me,” Smith said Friday.

Among the East forwards selected, Boston's Paul Pierce and Toronto's Chris Bosh are established stars, and that tends to win them the benefit of any doubts. But the other reserve forward, Charlotte's Gerald Wallace, will play in his first All-Star game.

Smith said Wallace deserved the honor.

The Hawks will be represented in the All-Star game by guard Joe Johnson (fourth selection) and center Al Horford (first).

Horford feeling better: Horford acknowledged that when he returned to the game at Houston on Monday after needing six stitches to close a gash in his left thumb, it was "numb, I couldn't really feel it." And then "it was really bothering me" Wednesday vs. the Spurs. "It feels a whole lot better," Horford said before the Hawks played host to Boston on Friday night.

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Atlanta Hawks' Larry Nance Jr. (22) attempts a layup during second half of a basketball game against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday, January 25, 2025, in Atlanta, at State Farm Arena. (Jason Allen/AJC)

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

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