Paul Millsap is back in.
One day after the Hawks forward was relegated to the bench, he was back in the starting lineup Saturday at the Knicks.
“A little bit,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said before the game when asked if the move was made for matchup reasons. “Like we said (Friday), we are looking for our best combination, our best group and how the puzzle fits together. Tonight, that is what we are going with.”
The Hawks went back to the same starting lineup they used in eight of the first nine games — Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, DeMarre Carroll, Al Horford and Millsap.
Millsap played 29 minutes off the bench in Friday’s win over the 76ers, with eight points, four rebounds and three assists.
Millsap was assigned to guard the Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony. The Hawks held the star to 25 points in the loss to New York on Wednesday, one point below his average.
“It was something different, a little mixed feelings,” Millsap said following Wednesday’s reserve role. “I’ll just be ready when my name is called and get out there and do my job.”
Williams inactive: Lou Williams was inactive against the Knicks as the Hawks held to their plan not to play the guard in back-to-back games. Williams played for the first time in 10 months Friday against the 76ers in his return from a torn right ACL.
The Hawks had a limit of 16 minutes on the veteran. He played 16:01.
“(General manager) Danny (Ferry) fined me for that extra second,” Budenholzer said.
Jenkins active: With Williams out, John Jenkins returned to active status against the Knicks. Last year's first-round pick has had a diminished role this season and has appeared in one game.
“It’s been tough, but I’m just staying strong and controlling what I can control,” Jenkins said. “That is to work hard and be a good teammate.
“My (back) injury messed up a lot of things. I was out a long time. I missed the preseason and practices. I’m feeling great. I’m healthy. I’m just trying to get back at it.”
Last week, Budenholzer said that a lack of playing time was related to Jenkins’ deficiencies on defense. Jenkins said he has not had a direct conversation in that regard.
“It’s on our whole team, nothing specifically to me,” Jenkins said of the Hawks’ defensive issues. “It’s the whole team. It’s an issue we’ve been struggling with the whole year. I haven’t been in the game much to really show my defense. When I get in there, I’m going to give it all I’ve got.”
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