Jeff Teague says he's dealing with an ankle injury

Jeff Teague's recent struggles have been the hot topic surrounding the Atlanta Hawks of late. He was asked about those struggles on Sunday by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Chris Vivlamore and confirmed that he was trying to play through an ankle injury.

"I'm dealing with an ankle injury," the Hawks starting point guard said Sunday. "That's OK. I'll be back."

Teague's scoring average, shooting percentage and assist numbers have declined each month this season. He has bottomed out in January averaging just 10.5 points and 4.3 assists while shooting 38 percent from the field. Teague sat out three games in November due to an ankle injury and has since rolled the ankle multiple times. It is apparently not serious enough to force him from the lineup but it appears to be affecting his lateral movement and has hampered his ability to finish at the rim.

As a result, Teague's playing just 25.2 minutes through 11 games this month with Dennis Schröder often finishing games at the point with the starting unit.

Mike Budenholzer told Vivlamore that he had no plans to make a lineup change. The Hawks need Teague back playing well if they hope to right the ship this season. Atlanta has battled inconsistent stretches and are currently 26-19 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. They remain in the thick of things despite going 5-5 over their last 10 games.