The return of Al Horford is progressing.
Step 1: Get him back on the court in a live game. Check
Step 2: Get the Hawks center comfortable as he battles back from a torn pectoral muscle. Check.
Step 3: Increase the starter’s minutes incrementally through the rest of the preseason so he’s fully ready for opening night in 12 days. To be continued.
Horford made his exhibition debut Tuesday against the Heat in his first game since suffering the season-ending injury Dec. 26. He scored two points in 11 minutes.
“The first game was the simple, clear goal was just to play and just to get up and down and play in a live environment against another team,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “That is about what we got.”
Horford had four points and six rebounds in 16 minutes Thursday against the Bulls.
“The second game I definitely had a breakthrough against the Bulls,” Horford said Friday. “Mentally, I was in a much better place because I was more comfortable. The first game I was more tentative.”
Horford said the plan is for him to continue to play over the final exhibition games, including Saturday’s game against the Pistons, to increase his game conditioning.
Getting Horford back will be a big boost for the Hawks, who were third in the Eastern Conference before he got hurt 29 games into last season. He averaged 18.6 points and 8.4 rebounds in 33.0 minutes before the injury. He scored in double figures in 28 of his 29 games, including 13 20-point efforts. Horford had nine double-doubles, including five 20-point, 10-rebound games.
Budenholzer said he was pleased with Horford’s progression from game to game.
“I think he really made a noticeable step forward (Thursday) - his length and going and getting rebounds and extending, just looking comfortable,” Budenholzer said. “(The Bulls) are a very physical team and for him to get in, come through it and fell confident was (good). Particularly on the boards he was very good and then advancing the ball on the break and doing some of the little things that Al does that are unique and we appreciate.”
Following Saturday’s game against the Pistons, the Hawks end the exhibitions season by hosting the Hornets Monday and traveling to the Spurs Wednesday.
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