Dennis Schroder might return to action Tuesday night when the Atlanta Hawks seek to attone for Sunday’s loss to the Knicks, or he might not. Head coach Mike Budenholzer didn’t say on Monday why the backup point guard was not deployed in the Hawks’ last two games, nor what it will take for him to play again.
Schroder played in the Hawks’ first 33 games, starting six times, but registered consecutive DNP-CDs as Atlanta rallied on Dec. 29 to win 121-115 in Houston, and then lost 111-97 Sunday at New York.
Shelvin Mack, who played in 11 of the Hawks’ first 33 games, has served as Jeff Teague’s backup in the past two.
Budenholzer, however, said that Schroder is not in the doghouse.
“No. He keeps competing in practice, doing what he’s doing,” the coach said. “Part of it is Shelvin’s been busting his butt, working hard. I think to give guys opportunities and to develop all 15 guys is important. Dennis will get his opportunities.”
Schroder is averaging 10.5 points, 4.3 assists and 2.5 rebounds this season, his second as a pro. Although his shooting percentages are down ever-so-slightly from last season (41.5 percent overall to 41 percent, and 32 percent to 30.8 on 3-pointers), there has been nothing obvious to indicate why he would be benched.
He’s scoring a couple more points per game, his turnovers are about the same (1.8) despite the fact he’s played more minutes, and he’s averaging just better than a steal per contest.
Schroder was not available after Monday’s practice, as the Hawks (21-14) prepared to play the Knicks (16-19) for the fourth time this season, and the third time in 10 days.
The speedy German had 10 points, six assists, four rebounds, two steals and no turnovers in a Dec. 26 win over the Knicks. In his last game, a 93-87 loss at Indiana on Dec. 28, Schroder had four points on 2-of-8 shooting with an assist.
Mack had one of his best games in New York. He scored 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting, and added five assists and three turnovers in 27 minutes. He’s averaging 4.5 points, 2.1 assists and just under one rebound.
When asked if Schroder was in trouble for anything off the court, Budenholzer said, “No, he’s good.”
Backup forward/center Tiago Splitter is not likely to help the Hawks get back on track. He missed Monday’s practice, and may miss his fourth straight game with a calf strain.
“Tiago is getting closer,” Budenholzer said. “I don’t think he’ll be available [Tuesday]. He might be available by the end of the week.”
If Atlanta wants to beat the Knicks for the third time in four meetings, it will help to slow down New York and find Arron Afflolo. He scored 38 points, including seven 3-pointers, and some of them came off transition.
Al Horford is looking to a quick rematch.
“At times, we’re not being as consistent and paying attention to details, and all the little things,” Horford said. “For us, it’s just making sure that we execute better and defensively our activity has to be much better.”
The head coach agreed, especially about tending to defensive details.
“I think our transition D needs to improve a lot whether we’re playing New York or anybody,” Budenholzer said. “There are some things we’re talking about and working on where even if you have activity … [if] you’re not communicating and all on the same page, you’re still not going to be a good transition team. We didn’t find him in transition.”
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