Mike Scott will be dress and be available when the Hawks play at the Suns Wednesday night. Whether the forward, who has been out all season with a sore left knee, play as not been determined, according to coach Mike Budenholzer.
The Hawks upgraded Scott to questionable on their injury report Tuesday. With rookie DeAndre Bembry on NBA Development League assignment and Tiago Splitter still injured, there is an available active spot.
“He is cleared to play,” Budenholzer said Wednesday morning. “He had a great day yesterday. I think he has been ramping up. If there is an opportunity to throw him in, then we will look at that.”
The Hawks have had limited practice time during their five-game road trip that ends Wednesday. Budenholzer said Scott has been doing contact work, including some 5-on-5, recently.
Scott declined to speak to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The Hawks announced Scott would undergo a series of non-surgical procedures on his ailing knee on Oct. 31 after he missed the first two exhibition games. Scott was expected to miss at least four weeks. Scott’s knee experienced swelling even during a team photo shoot prior to the start of training camp.
Scott averaged 6.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 15.3 minutes in 75 games off the bench last season.
With the return of Scott, Budenholzer faces the question of where he will fit the reserve into the frontcourt rotation. Mike Muscala is off to a strong start and is normally the first reserve off the bench, subbing for Paul Millsap at power forward. Muscala has also played center. Kris Humphries has played sparingly but can play both forward and center.
Budenholzer said he is not sure what role Scott will play as he is just returning from injury.
“Right now, I can’t honestly answer,” Budenholzer said when asked about Scott’s role. “I think that the versatility of our bigs between him and (Muscala) and (Humphries) and we even played Thabo (Sefolosha) at the four, so (Scott) fits us. I don’t know exactly how he will fit in but we’ll probably find some opportunities.”
Scott is in the final year of his contract that will pay him $3.3 million this season.
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