Atlanta

Loss of Smith, Loss to Pistons


Philip Maymin
Basketball News Services 

The Hawks experienced an unsensational 99-84loss to the Pistons last night as the Detroit back court scored 48 points to Atlanta's backcourt's 18. As silver lining, five Hawks scored in double-figures, and Tony Delk scored nearly a point per minute, getting 20 in 23 minutes. They now have the worst pre-All-Star break record in franchise history. Top 3 draft pick, here we come!

Part of the reason may be the injury high-flying rookie Josh Smith sustained in the Orlando game. He is now on the injured reserve list, meaning he can't be activated for a minimum of five games. That means the earliest he could play would be Saturday, February 12, in a road game against Milwaukee, though the home game that following Tuesday against Denver would probably be a better time to activate him if he heals faster than expected.

There has been no word yet on whether and who would replace him in the Rookie Challenge during All-Star weekend. Hawks coach Mike Woodson thinks Smith will be ready for the last two games before the Feb. 18-20 NBA All-Star break so that no replacement for him would be necessary. That would mean he's probably play in the home Denver game and the following night's road game in Cleveland.

NEXT GAME
The Hawks (9-35, fifth in the Southeast) finish their two-game road trip with a visit to Antoine Walker's old coach and rumored current suitor, Jim O'Brien, of the Philadelphia 76ers (21-24, second in the Atlantic) on Friday, February 4th, 2005. The game starts at 7:00pm Eastern and will be broadcast on FSO and NBA League Pass.

TEAM NOTES
Contemporary Christian recording artist Nicole C. Mullen will headline the “Night of Joyâ€ concert series and perform live at Philips Arena following the Atlanta Hawks - Indiana Pacers game on Saturday, February 5.

Hawks Fans, don't miss a chance to get to know your team better on and off the court with the new internet radio show HAWK TALK ONLINE!Join Hawks broadcasters Bob Rathbun and Steve Holman as they discuss the team, the NBA, and other basketball issues.

INJURY UPDATE
Josh Smith(ankle),Kenny Anderson(calf), andChris Crawford (knee) are all on the injured list. Crawford is out for the season.

NEWSLINES

Sekou Smith ofThe Atlanta Journal-Constitutionwrites: The Hawks have the dubious distinction of being the only team in the NBA this season not to have won back-to-back games.Their 99-84 loss to Detroit Wednesday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Mich., secured their lone ranger status for at least a few more days. But the dubiousness doesn't end there for the Hawks. They also secured the franchise mark for futility prior to the NBA All-Star break, their 35 losses being the most in franchise history. The Hawks were 22-34 before the All-Star break during the 1976-77 season and 14-32 before the break during the 1969-70 season.

The Associated Press writes inAccess North Georgia: Josh Smith, the No. 17 overall pick in last year's NBA draft, was injured in the second quarter of Monday's 80-79 victory over the Orlando Magic.He has appeared in 40 games, starting 25, and averages 7.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists. He was selected last week to play in the Feb. 18 Rookie Challenge during All-Star weekend in Denver.

The Associated Press writes inAccess North Georgia: The Hawks placed Josh Smith (ankle) on the injured list before the game and activated Donta Smith. ... The Pistons didn't commit their first foul until the final 3 seconds of the opening quarter. ... Detroit's Rasheed Wallace and Atlanta coach Mike Woodson both picked up technicals for arguing calls. ... Detroit's Darko Milicic played the final 4 minutes, but did not score.