HoopsHype.com Rumors

Hawks co-owner Michael Gearon Jr. On media coverage of Hawks’ playoff series against the Celtics: “Did you see what Al Horford did last night? The timeline for recovery for his injury is another three months. He’s not even supposed to be playing and Josh [Smith] should not be playing. Zaza [Pachulia] can’t stand up, but if we can get past this round there is a chance that we can get him back. So this is a team that is overcoming adversity. I wish . . . some of the national media or even some of the local media, more the paper than the TV guys, recognize how hard these guys are playing based on how injured they are. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Al Horford, Kevin Garnett, Michael Gearon Jr 

Michael Cunningham: #Hawks Larry Drew says Al Horford (pectoral) on restricted minutes for Game 5. Twitter

Atlanta Hawks, Al Horford, Injuries 

Vincent Goodwill: Josh and Horford could be available if the Hawks get bounced in 5...or 6...or 7. Can't come back with all 3 but who's taking Joe's max deal? Twitter

Atlanta Hawks, Joe Johnson, Al Horford, Josh Smith 

In a surprise, forward/center Al Horford is active for the Atlanta Hawks. Horford has played only 11 games this season because of a torn pectoral muscle. It is unclear if Horford will play tonight in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series. Boston Globe

Atlanta Hawks, Al Horford, Injuries 

Michael Cunningham: #Hawks C @Al Horford (pectoral) says he's out for 1st round vs. #Celtics. Hopes to play in 2nd round. Twitter

Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Al Horford, Injuries 

Marc J. Spears: For my friends in the Dominican Republic, Hawks Al Horford says he plans on playing for his native country in Olympic qualifying tourney. Twitter

Atlanta Hawks, FIBA, Al Horford, Injuries, Dominican Republic 

Al Horford changes mind telling Yahoo! he will return to action in limited fashion 4/26 vs DAL after doc meeting. The Hawks forward-center told Y! Sports in the morning he didn't expect to return from the postseason due to pectoral injury suffered earlier this season. But doctor told him some pectoral weakness is normal and not to be fearful of it, which led Horford to changing his mind and becoming more confident for return. He will play about 15 minutes per game in 1st round. Sulia

Atlanta Hawks, Al Horford, Injuries 

Hawks forward Al Horford tells Yahoo! Sports he does not expect to play in the postseason due to pectoral injury. "I don't feel like it is realistic that I can play for the playoffs," Horford said. "Obviously, if we advance and start going we will see. But as of right now the way I feel I think I am out for the playoffs." Sulia

Atlanta Hawks, Al Horford, Injuries 

Maybe all of this uncertainty is why Larry Drew has consistently played down the possibility of Horford returning. “We are keeping our fingers crossed but we are not totally counting on him,” Drew said yesterday. “We don’t want to have wishful thinking. When they told us about the surgery, that the probability [of return] would be very slim, at that point made our mind up we would not get him back.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Al Horford, Injuries 

Al Horford said Thursday he is “frustrated” by his progress as he works to return from surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle. The Hawks All-Star center went through a full-contract practice with the team. “Today was the first chance I got to play 3-on-3 with the guys and I’m not where I need to be,” Horford said. “I had a deadline in my mind that I wanted to be back by the last game of the regular season but I’m not where I need to be. That is a little frustrating for me. “I’m going to keep trying to work, but I’m not there yet.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Al Horford, Injuries 

Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford has been cleared for contact and is nearing a return to game action.Horford has been out since early January with a torn pectoral muscle. His original timetable to return was four months.There’s still no official return date set for Horford, but he’s expected to be ready for the playoffs.Horford was averaging 12.4 points and seven rebounds in 11 games prior to suffering the injury. HoopsWorld

Atlanta Hawks, Al Horford, Injuries 

Alvaro Martin: RelojDe24: #AlHorford and #FranciscoGarcia will definitely play in Olympic "last chance" qualifier in July - #RafaelUribe, DR hoops Fed head Twitter

Puerto Rico, Al Horford, Francisco Garcia 

Atlanta is listening to trade offers for Josh Smith, who reportedly wants out. But sources say the Hawks aren't likely to make a move before the deadline and instead may attempt to move one of their top three players -- Joe Johnson, Al Horford or Smith -- in the summer. ESPN.com

Atlanta Hawks, Trade, Joe Johnson, Al Horford, Josh Smith 

Execs are torn on what strategy Atlanta ownership will pursue after the sale of the team fell through in November. With a healthy Al Horford, the Hawks almost certainly would be the third-best team in the East. But at some point down the road, a league source said, ownership may "keep Horford and try to dump the rest." CBSSports.com

Atlanta Hawks, Trade, Al Horford 

Larry Drew ruled out Al Horford returning before the end of the regular season: “What I’ve been told he’s definitely out for the regular season and there is a possibility [of return] for the playoffs.” Al has said he should know more about his timetable when he returns to see his doctor next week. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Al Horford, Injuries 

As in: File away Horford's name as a likely down-the-road top contender to succeed the Lakers' Derek Fisher as president of the players' union. The stately Fisher was elected president of the players' union in 2006 and had a more visible and prominent role during the five-month lockout than any of his predecessors has ever taken on. Although he had to weather criticism over his perceived closeness to NBA commissioner David Stern, Fisher generally earned strong reviews for his contributions to ultimately getting a deal done to save the season, which is why he'll presumably be asked by his peers to carry on as president in the short term. ESPN.com

Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Derek Fisher, Al Horford, David Stern, NBPA 

But when Fisher has had enough -- he has two years left on a four-year term after re-election in 2009 -- word is that Horford will draw strong consideration as his successor. ESPN.com

Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Derek Fisher, Al Horford, David Stern, NBPA 

The Atlanta Hawks say All-Star center Al Horford has undergone successful surgery to repair his torn left pectoral muscle. The procedure was performed Tuesday by Dr. Xavier Duralde of Peachtree Orthopaedic Clinic. He was assisted by Hawks team physicians Michael Bernot and Ashok Reddy. National Post

Atlanta Hawks, Al Horford, Injuries 

Lang Greene: Larry Drew said #Hawks may explore trades to help compensate for loss of Al Horford, but said he hasn't spoke with EVP / GM Rick Sund yet Twitter

Atlanta Hawks, Trade, Al Horford, Larry Drew, Rick Sund 

Lang Greene: Al Horford just addressed the media. Said he still believes #Hawks can win without him in lineup, but Joe and Josh must step. Twitter

Atlanta Hawks, Al Horford, Injuries