Marvin Williams could be out for two weeks with a bone bruise
Atlanta Hawks head coach Larry Drew announced that forward Marvin Williams will likely be out for two weeks after sustaining a knee injury last week, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported
on Tuesday 9 November.
According to the first-year head coach, Williams is still bothered by the bone bruise in his right knee he sustained during their 94-85 win over the Detroit Pistons on 3 November, and the
24-year-old forward will be examined later this week.
“After the first week, it will be about how much he can tolerate the pain,” said Drew, who was hired during the off-season to replace Mike Woodson after being swept by the Orlando Magic in
last season’s play-offs.
Drew also added that reserve small forward Mo Evans, who has not played a single game this season because of knee injury, will still not suit up for the Hawks.
And without their top-two small forwards, they will be forced to start Josh Smith at the position, while centres Al Horford and Jason Collins will be their starting power forward and centre,
respectively.
Shooting guard Joe Johnson, who is averaging 20.8 points and 5.5 assists in their first eight games this season, will also have some minutes playing the forward spot because Smith had problems
before in that position.
Smith has the tendency to struggle and take low-percentage shots, but Drew believes that the high-flying forward has improved in that area, and he will also be able to guard the quicker forwards
that they are going to face. Smith is averaging 14.4 points and 9.6 rebounds this season.
On the other hand, Collins, who signed a new contract with the Hawks during the off-season, also earned the trust of his coach, especially on the defensive end of the floor.
“He’s a solid low-post defender,” said Drew. “You really don’t have to be concerned about helping him down there.”
The Hawks started the season with six straight victories, but dropped their last two games against the Phoenix Suns and the Orlando Magic. They will try to bounce back when they host Brandon
Jennings and the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday 10 November.
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