Mike Scott injury: Hawks forward won’t play in season opener

Mike Scott missed Thursday’s practice with a sore knee and will keep him out of tonight’s season opener against the Washington Wizards according to a report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Chris Vivlamore.

Scott was hampered by soreness in his knee throughout the preseason. He appeared in just four preseason games and never really looked comfortable averaging 4.0 points on 27 percent shooting. Scott and reserve center Tiago Splitter will be Atlanta’s two inactive players for tonight’s game.

Scott’s status could have also played a factor in the decision to keep an extra frontcourt player at the expense of a third point guard. Atlanta waived Jarrett Jack at the end of camp despite him having a fully guaranteed contract. Splitter missed the entire preseason with a hamstring injury that was expected to keep him out for four weeks. He has recently ramped up his activity in practice but there has been no update on a potential return.

Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard will start for the Hawks tonight and will likely be backed up by Mike Muscala and Kris Humphries. Atlanta will also have Edy Tavares in uniform if another big man is needed.