Lou Williams injury: Hawks guard cleared for full contact practice

One day after participating in some contact drills, Lou Williams has been cleared to participate in full contact practiceand could return to the Hawks lineup soon. Mike Budenholzer talked about Williams following the team's shootaround on Wednesday and said that Williams is closing in on his return.

"He is basically competing full-go now," Budenholzer said Wednesday morning before the Hawks took on the Knicks. "I guess, in that sense, you could say he's been cleared. He is doing everything. It's now getting game-ready or game-comfortable. He's played five-on-five. He is basically cleared to do everything. We'll get him to where he feels comfortable playing in a game."

It will take some time for Williams to get back into game shape but the window is wide open for his return although Budenholzer did not speculate on when that might be.

His return will strengthen Atlanta's backcourt but will add to what is already a somewhat crowded situation. The Hawks have already sent Jared Cunningham to the D-League and John Jenkins could follow as soon Williams is ready to return to the rotation.