Atlanta Hawks notes: Al Horford return, rookies pranked and more

Thursday was a busy day for the Atlanta Hawks despite it being an off day. The team held a full practice and some players participated in an event involving Emory and their new practice facility.

The team held a full practice at noon on Thursday and the Hawks newest addition took part as well.

Dunleavy told reporters after the session that he expects to play on Friday and Mike Budenholzer confirmed that he would be in uniform.

One other note from practice. Rookie DeAndre Bembry did not take part in the workout and is still away from the team due to personal reasons.

Horford’s return front and center

Al Horford’s return to Philips Arena Friday night as a part of the Boston Celtics is clearly front and center though and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Chris Vivlamore caught up with Horford in advance of Friday’s matchup. Horford said that it is going to be weird to be at Philips Arena while wearing a visiting team’s jersey.

“It’s very, very weird for me,” Horford said in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Thursday. “I’m really close with those guys in the locker room. It’s just very different. There is no way else I can put it.”

It is a good story and also contains quotes from Mike Budenholzer and Paul Millsap so be sure to check that out. Vivlamore also reports that the Hawks are planning a video tribute for Horford at some point in Friday’s game.

Several Hawks players sign beam for new practice facility

Read into it what you want but the four players to sign the beam along with Bazemore were Dennis Schröder, Dwight Howard and Paul Millsap. Bazemore, Schröder and Howard are all under contract for several more years after this season. Millsap can opt out of his current deal and become a free agent this summer.

Hawks find time to prank rookies

It might have been a busy day but the Hawks found time to prank one of their rookie teammates. Malcolm Delaney and Taurean Prince became the latest victims of the popcorn prank.