Lou Williams got his first start of the season as he stepped in for Kyle Korver on Friday night against the Mavericks.
Korver missed his second consecutive game because of a bruised rib. The team had not made a decision whether the guard will travel following the game for the two-game trip that starts at the Wizards on Saturday.
“He’s pretty sore and not in a position where he can play,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said.
Korver’s streak of 88 games with a 3-pointer remains on hold. He can tie the all-time NBA record of 89 set by Dana Barros in his next game played.
Williams, returning from a torn right ACL, appeared in four games before the start. He played a season-high 24 minutes Tuesday against the Magic. Williams started nine of his 39 games last season before suffering his injury.
Budenholzer said Williams remains on a minutes restriction.
“Really, it’s more about getting Lou into a good place and getting our team in a good place,” Budenholzer said. “The way his minutes are, starting him will give him a good chance and us a good chance.”
Williams averaged 7.5 points and 4.3 assists in his limited time since his return.
Mack back: Shelvin Mack returned after missing Wednesday's game at the Rockets with a sprained left ankle. The backup point guard suffered the injury in the second quarter of Tuesday's game against the Magic.
Mack said his ankle was stepped on, and he could not move his foot or put pressure on it. He received treatment Wednesday and Thursday.
Rookie Dennis Schroder struggled in extended time Wednesday as the backup point guard. After playing a combined 10 minutes in the previous six games, he had six points and four turnovers in 27 minutes against the Rockets.
Draft watching: With the Nets off to such a slow start, the Hawks are keeping a watchful eye on the NBA draft order. The Nets were 4-11 headed into Friday night's game at the Rockets. That is good news for the Hawks, especially if the Nets continue their woeful ways.
As part of the Joe Johnson trade, the Hawks have the right to swap first-round picks with the Nets in 2014 and 2015. The swap is not protected, meaning that even if the Nets are in the lottery, the pick belongs to the Hawks.
With as many as seven current college players projected to be impact players at the NBA level, the Hawks could add a major piece thanks to a trade made in July 2012.
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