Jeff Teague returned to the Hawks lineup Monday after missing the past two games with a left ankle sprain.
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer waited until an hour before the playing the Bucks to make the final decision but indicated earlier in the day the starting point guard would likely be available.
“He went through shootaround and we expect him to play but we’ll probably re-evaluate him just to make sure before the game,” Budenholzer said.
Teague, averaging 16.3 points and 7.0 rebounds, said his ankle is no longer an issue.
“It’s OK,” Teague said. “I feel better. The (swelling) went down.”
Teague was joined in the starting lineup with regulars Kyle Korver, DeMarre Carroll, Paul Millsap and Al Horford. All five starters did not play in Saturday’s 115-100 loss to the Hornets the day after the Hawks clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Budenholzer said Teague will not be under a minutes restriction in his return.
Teague was injured at the Magic last week after he turned his ankle on a drive to the basket. He missed limited time and scored nine of his 16 points in a decisive fourth-quarter Hawks’ run.
The Hawks end a stretch of four games in five days Tuesday at Detroit. Budenholzer would not say but all indications are he will again rest players in that second of back-to-back games.
“We’ll evaluate that after (Monday’s) game,” Budenholzer said.
