Al Horford missed Tuesday’s regular-season home finale against the Raptors with a sore left shoulder. The center was scheduled to travel with the Hawks to New York for Wednesday’s game against the Knicks.
“A little soreness,” coach Larry Drew said calling the move precautionary.
It was the seventh game Horford has missed this season. Johan Petro started in his place. The Hawks also played without DeShawn Stevenson, who is suffering from a cold.
Sympathy for Boston: Drew took a moment before his media session following Tuesday's morning shootaround to express his sympathy for those involved in the Boston Marathon bombings.
“Our prayers go out to all the victims and the people who were affected in the tragedy in Boston,” Drew said before taking questions. “Our thoughts and our prayers are with every one of them. It doesn’t take knowing someone who was there. When those things happen it really hits home because first of all you don’t imagine something like that happening to a group of innocent people enjoying a celebration. All of a sudden lives are changed. It’s just horrific.”
Arena security: The Hawks issued the following statement Tuesday, after a request from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, as to the security measures at Philips Arena following the explosions in Boston.
“Philips Arena’s security measures are developed and evaluated in conjunction with the NBA and Department of Homeland Security on a regular basis. Shortly after (Monday’s) tragic events in Boston took place, we spoke with our partners at the NBA, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Atlanta Police Department and reviewed again what measures are in place to ensure that Philips Arena and Hawks games provide a safe environment.
The Hawks hosted the Raptors on Tuesday in the final regular-season home game.
Looking ahead: With the playoffs approaching, Drew continued to pair Jeff Teague and Devin Harris in the starting backcourt.
“That has been a good combination for us all year,” Drew said. “Chances are we will finish that way with both of those guys and as we prepare for the postseason. Not knowing who are opponent is, the likelihood of both of those guys starting would be very high.”
Drew said he intends to speak with each player before the first round of the playoffs this weekend to discuss their postseason roles.
“I want to sit down with each guy and pick their brain,” he said. “Get their feelings about different things. Let them know what I’m expecting from them during the playoffs.
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