Shelvin Mack’s surgically repaired shoulder still gets a little stiff – a hazard of sleeping on his right side.
It’s nothing a little extra treatment can’t solve.
Mack has progressed through training camp and the exhibition season after suffering a Grade 5 separation in the final minutes of the Hawks’ Game 4 loss to the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals in June.
After playing sparingly in the Hawks first three exhibition games, Mack has seen increased minutes in games against the Mavericks and the Heat. He played 23 minutes and had 13 points against the Mavericks Friday. In Sunday’s 101-92 loss to the Heat, Mack played 19 minutes and had 10 points on 4 of 7 shooting, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range.
Mack was cleared for basketball activities at the start of training camp. He played 13, six and seven minutes, respectively, in the Hawks’ first three exhibition games.
“I’m just trying to get better, each and every day,” Mack said following Sunday’s game. “I’m working on my game, come out and play hard and get in a rhythm. I didn’t have a chance to play in the summer, my first day of playing was the opening day of training camp. I wasn’t able to do a lot this summer.”
