This is not the first bout with plantar fasciitis for Adreian Payne.
The Hawks rookie dealt with the issue while at Michigan State, including during his senior season. The condition in the left foot has the forward/center inactive for Saturday’s home opener against the Pacers.
“It’s good,” Payne said. “We are just resting out. It’s something I’ve had before. It’s really not a big issue. It’s something that the coaching staff and training staff is trying to manage before it gets bad. I could play right now but we are being careful.”
Payne, who had the condition in his right foot in college, was also inactive for the season-opening loss to the Raptors Wednesday. He was not listed on an injury report for that game.
Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. It involves pain and inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes.
“There is an opportunity here for us to be cautiously aggressive, is what I’m saying, and really look for his health long there and get him in a place where he is comfortable and able to play,” coach Mike Budenholzer said.
John Jenkins will also be inactive. The guard, who is healthy, was also inactive for the season opener.
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