Overview
- The Hawks said Thursday that Jock Landale is progressing from a high right ankle sprain and will be re-evaluated in about two weeks, keeping him out to start the Knicks series.
- Landale was injured April 1 in Orlando when Goga Bitadze pulled him down on a drive, which triggered a brief on-court skirmish and drew a "dirty" label from coach Quin Snyder.
- With the backup center sidelined, Atlanta expects heavier minutes for starter Onyeka Okongwu while Mouhamed Gueye and late-season addition Tony Bradley fill reserve minutes at the five.
- The Australian big man averaged 9.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 23 games for Atlanta after arriving in a February trade from Utah for cash considerations.
- His absence thins Atlanta’s frontcourt for Saturday’s Game 1 at Madison Square Garden, a situation several outlets describe as a tilt in the matchup toward New York.