BACK IN THE MIX
A look at the games Lou Williams has played since missing 10 months with a torn ACL.
Date/Opp./W-L/Pts./Reb/Ast./Min
Nov. 15/76ers/W/7/3/2/16
Nov. 20/Pistons/W/6/0/5/15
Nov. 23/Celtics/L/6/2/2/18
Nov. 26/Magic/L/11/3/8/24
Nov. 29/Mavericks/W/12/2/2/25
Dec. 2/Spurs/L/10/0/4/27
Dec. 4/Clippers/W/3/4/2/17
Dec. 6/Cavaliers/W/13/1/3/27
As Lou Williams progresses in a return to the Hawks’ rotation, a minutes restriction is becoming less of a determination of his playing time.
That is good news to the veteran guard and his coach.
Determining Williams’ role and playing time has not been an exact science since he returned from a torn ACL in his right knee. When Williams came back Nov. 15 after missing 10 months with the injury, he had a restriction of about 16 minutes per game and was not able to play in back-to-back games. He needed to play his way into game shape.
Williams has worked his way up to a high of 27 minutes, recorded in two of the past three games. The Hawks have only two back-to-back dates in December, the next coming Friday against the Wizards and Saturday at the Knicks. Williams may be cleared to play in both games by that time.
“At this point, it’s not all about the knee and minute restrictions,” Williams said. “It’s if I’m playing well, I stay on the court. If I’m not, you have to get me out of there.”
Coach Mike Budenholzer acknowledges there is a still a minutes restriction on Williams but offers only that he won’t play 42 minutes a game. He also said the substitution patterns have been affected by Williams’ status.
In last week’s loss to the Spurs, Williams played 27:20, coming out of the game with 1:36 remaining and the Spurs up by four points. The Hawks eventually lost 102-100 on a last-second shot. Williams had reached his minutes limit and the absence of his veteran presence was missed down the stretch.
Yet, in a home win over the Clippers two days later Williams played 17:19 as Budenholzer elected to stay with the hot hand of Shelvin Mack.
“It’s hard to say,” Budenholzer said of determining playing time. “Other guys are playing well. Other guys are bringing things. That is the interesting thing. When you have everybody healthy, you have to figure out who doesn’t play.
“Some nights it could be Lou who is not out there at the end of the game, even though he is healthy. I’m sure there will be a lot (of games) where he is. There are more options and as a coach, that’s a good thing.”
Budenholzer added that there may be games were he wishes he could play Williams more. However, there will also be games he won’t reach his minutes limit.
Williams has had an impact on the Hawks since his return. They are 5-3 in games he has played. Having another shooter, particularly one who can create his own shot, gives Budenholzer options. Williams can also play point guard if needed.
His return was one reason the Hawks sent guards John Jenkins and Dennis Schroder to the NBA Development League for more playing time. In some games, Jeff Teague, Williams and Mack have been on the court at the same time in different combinations. It allows the Hawks to further push the pace.
Budenholzer credited Williams’ defense and competitive effort on both ends of the court upon his return.
“This whole process is great for me, just to be back on the court,” Williams said. “The past 10 months have been the hardest thing I ever did, just watching basketball. I don’t think I’ve played to the point where I can demand to go in and demand to play more or anything like that.
“I just think that any time I’m on the court, I can help. If not, if Bud is feeling a certain way about a guy who is playing well, like Shelvin Mack (Wednesday against the Clippers), he plays those minutes and we win. That’s it.”
Williams has averaged 8.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 21.1 minutes in his eight games, including two starts. He averaged 14.1 points in 28.7 minutes in the 39 games last season before his injury.
Ayon misses practice: Hawks forward/center Gustavo Ayon did not participate in Monday's practice after sustaining a sprained left ankle and left leg contusion late in Friday's game. He was at practice but only worked on the side.
Budenholzer said Ayon would be re-evaluated before a determination is made on his availability for Tuesday’s game against the Thunder.
