Josh Smith, the Hawks’ leading scorer, will play in Game 2 against the Pacers on Wednesday after suffering a sprained right ankle in the playoff series opener.
Smith was a full participant in Tuesday’s workout. He missed the on-court portion of Monday’s workout after suffering the injury in the third quarter of the Game 1 loss.
“I should be all right,” Smith said. “It’s still a little sore, but it’s playoff time and I have to suck it up.”
Smith said he was hurt when he stepped on the foot of teammate Devin Harris with 9:33 remaining in the third quarter. He stayed in the game after a timeout. Smith finished with 15 points, but only four came in the second half.
Hawks coach Larry Drew said Smith moved around well Tuesday and that he expected the forward to play Wednesday.
George most improved: Pacers All-Star forward Paul George, who posted a triple-double against the Hawks in Game 1 of the playoff series, was named the NBA's Most Improved Player on Tuesday.
George received 311 of a possible 1,080 points, including 52 first-place votes, from a panel of 120 sportswriters and broadcasters.
George entered the season with career averages of 10.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals. This season he established career highs with 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.8 steals. George was the only player in the league to record at least 140 steals (143) and 50 blocks (51).
The Pelicans’ Greivis Vasquez (146 points, 13 first-place votes) finished second, and the Bucks’ Larry Sanders (141 points, 10 first-place votes) finished third.
The Hawks’ Jeff Teague received one third-place vote.
Game 4 change: Game 4 of the Hawks-Pacers series will now be at 7:30 p.m. Monday and air on NBA TV, the league announced. The change was made after a Game 5 in the Bulls-Nets series was assured with a Chicago victory Monday. The Hawks game will also be televised by Fox Sports South.
Etc.: Drew said he would reveal his Game 2 starting lineup at Wednesday morning's shootaround. … According to the Hawks, tickets are still available for Games 3 and 4 of the series Saturday and Monday at Philips Arena. … The Hawks were scheduled to return to Indianapolis following Tuesday's practice.
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