Peachtree Hoops - Lou Williams injury: Hawks guard returns against SixersThe place to read about/discuss the Atlanta Hawks.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/8811/peachtree-fave.jpg2013-11-15T23:06:36-05:00http://www.peachtreehoops.com/rss/stream/36569172013-11-15T23:06:36-05:002013-11-15T23:06:36-05:00Williams returns from ACL injury
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<figcaption>Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Lou Williams returned to action Friday night against the Philadelphia 76ers and finished with seven points in 16 minutes. </p> <p><span>Lou Williams</span> was back in an <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> uniform Friday night for the first time since suffering a knee injury 10 months ago.</p>
<p>Hawks head coach <span>Mike Budenholzer</span> told the media following shootaround on Friday that Williams would be active but wouldn't say whether or not he would play. He did say that if Lou got into the game he would have his minutes capped about 16.</p>
<p>Williams checked into the game for <span>DeMarre Carroll</span> with 4:23 remaining in the first. Williams converted on his first attempt with a driving layup about three minutes later. He'd go on to play exactly 16 minutes finishing with seven points on 3-8 shooting.</p>
<p>"I was more nervous before the game that when I actually stepped out onto the court," Williams said. "It felt good to be back out there with the guys, just grinding and trying to win a game and to be a part of it."</p>
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<p>Wow.. Grateful to be able to resume my career tonight..with a win..as fate would have it, against the Sixers. I appreciate the love. Thanx</p>
— Lou Williams (@TeamLou23) <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamLou23/statuses/401555126588309504">November 16, 2013</a>
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<p>Williams looked healthy and as long as no complications arise, he should start to work himself back into game shape and into a bigger role with the team.</p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/11/15/5109562/lou-williams-injury-atlanta-hawks-returnKris Willis2013-11-15T12:54:59-05:002013-11-15T12:54:59-05:00Williams to be active against 76ers
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<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Mike Budenholzer told the media at today's shootaround that Lou Williams will be active tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers. </p> <p><span>Lou Williams</span> will be in uniform and active for tonight's game against the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia 76ers</a> although head coach Mike Budehnolzer indicated that he wasn't positive whether he would play or not.</p>
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<p>Coach Bud says Lou is available tonight but is not sure if he will play.</p>
— <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a> (@ATLHawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/ATLHawks/statuses/401402918362177536">November 15, 2013</a>
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<p>If Williams does play he will have his minutes monitored and likely capped at about 16 according to the AJC's Chris Vivlamore.</p>
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<p>Williams playing time will be capped at 16 minutes.</p>
— Chris Vivlamore (@ajchawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/ajchawks/statuses/401403445108035585">November 15, 2013</a>
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<p>Williams tore his ACL last January and has recently stepped up his rehab. He was medically cleared to return to action earlier this week and just needs to get back into game shape. He was on the floor prior to Wednesday's game against the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Knicks</a> going through a strenuous workout with assistant coach <span>Kenny Atkinson</span>.</p>
<p>Williams' return with be a shot in the arm to Atlanta's backcourt rotation and he could eventually see time at both guard spots.</p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/11/15/5108256/sixers-vs-hawks-lou-williams-injury-returnKris Willis2013-11-15T10:00:07-05:002013-11-15T10:00:07-05:00Williams day-to-day and could be back soon
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Lou Williams' recovery from last season's knee injury is nearly over and he could be back on the court in the next few games. </p> <p><span>Lou Williams</span> long road back from the torn ACL that he suffered last January is almost over. The <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Hawks</a> guard was <a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/basketball/hawks-upgrade-williams-to-day-to-day/nbsZy/">upgraded by the team to day-to-day status</a> by the team on Thursday and could be back on the court soon. The Hawks haven't said when but it could happen as soon as Friday's game against the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia 76ers</a>. Lou recently talked about his status with the AJC's Chris Vivlamore:</p>
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<p>"Medically, I'm cleared. Everything else is just basketball. Whenever coach feels like he is ready to throw me out there, that's on him."</p>
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<p>The NBA doesn't have injured lists. Each team is allowed a 15 man roster but only 13 can be active on a given night. That designation must be made one hour prior to tip off. Williams has been on Atlanta's roster the entire season but has been inactive every game. There really is no status distinctions in pro basketball like there are for the NFL. An NBA player can be out, inactive and in street clothes one night and then back in the starting lineup the next night.</p>
<p>What I take from the Hawks listing Williams is day-to-day is that he is going to be back soon and most likely in the next few games and maybe even on Friday against the Sixers.</p>
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<p>ATL... LOUWILLVILLE.. Time to show em</p>
— Lou Williams (@TeamLou23) <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamLou23/statuses/401170316871090176">November 15, 2013</a>
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https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/11/15/5107254/lou-williams-injury-hawks-guard-day-to-dayKris Willis2013-11-13T13:13:34-05:002013-11-13T13:13:34-05:00Williams cleared for practice
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<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Lou Williams has been cleared to return to full contact practice and could be back in the Atlanta lineup soon. </p> <p>One day after participating in some contact drills, <span>Lou Williams</span> <a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/williams-cleared-now-getting-in-game-shape/nbrFh/">has been cleared to participate in full contact practice</a>and could return to the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Hawks</a> lineup soon. <span>Mike Budenholzer</span> talked about Williams following the team's shootaround on Wednesday and said that Williams is closing in on his return.</p>
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<p>"He is basically competing full-go now," Budenholzer said Wednesday morning before the Hawks took on the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a>. "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."</p>
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<p>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.</p>
<p>His return will strengthen Atlanta's backcourt but will add to what is already a somewhat crowded situation. The Hawks have already sent <span>Jared Cunningham</span> to the D-League and <span>John Jenkins</span> could follow as soon Williams is ready to return to the rotation.</p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/11/13/5100292/lou-williams-injury-knee-return-atlanta-hawksKris Willis2013-11-12T13:52:04-05:002013-11-12T13:52:04-05:00Williams inching towards return
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<figcaption>Mike Ehrmann</figcaption>
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<p>Lou Williams took a significant step closer to returning to action on Tuesday when he participated in some contact drills at practice. </p> <p><span>Lou Williams</span> participated in some contact drills for the first time during Tuesday's practice and takes a significant step forward in his rehabilitation from a knee injury.</p>
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<p>Lou Williams closer to return. Participated in some contact drills for the first time today. Next step full contact. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ATLHawks&src=hash">#ATLHawks</a></p>
— Chris Vivlamore (@ajchawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/ajchawks/statuses/400332336056659968">November 12, 2013</a>
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<p>Williams has been progressing well and has been working out on court doing basketball related activities. He has participated in some 3-on-3 drills. <span>Mike Budenholzer</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Hawks</a> have indicated since the preseason that they would not rush Williams back, saying that he would return when he was physically and mentally ready.</p>
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https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/11/12/5096304/lou-williams-injury-knee-contact-drillsKris Willis2013-09-25T03:00:08-04:002013-09-25T03:00:08-04:00Williams back before All-Star break?
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Lou Williams recently released his latest "Road To Recovery" video and indicated that he hopes to be back on the court sometime before the All-Star Break. </p> <p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/admin/sbn_pte_player/show/21577?league=nba&slug=lou-williams" class="sbn-auto-link">Lou Williams</a>' recovery from a torn ACL is going to be a major storyline when the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/admin/sbn_pte_team/show?league=nba&slug=atlanta-hawks" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a> begin training camp on October 1. Williams shed just a bit of light on when he might return to action in his <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2013/09/24/20130723-lou-williams-episode-6.nba/index.html">latest "Road to Recovery" video release for NBA.com</a>.</p>
<p>Williams hasn't been cleared for full contact yet but is doing basketball related drills including playing 3 on 3. He can be seen going through some of those workouts in the video and looks pretty good. Williams indicated with almost a sly grin that he was supposed to say that he is on schedule to return sometime before the All-Star break. Williams just passed the eight month mark since his injury and the hope was when he had surgery that he would be ready in time for camp.</p>
<p>Recovery time on an ACL injury can vary but is typically 8-12 months. Iman Shumpert returned to the court last season from a similar injury in just over eight months. Derrick Rose ended up missing all of last season with a torn ACL in his knee. Barring a setback, it would be hopeful that Williams would be on pace to return sometime in November or December.</p>
<p>If Williams is not ready for opening night then the Hawks may elect to fill their vacant roster spot with one of the six non-roster invitees that are coming to training camp. Once healthy, Williams is expected to remain in a sixth man role where he could see playing time at both point guard and shooting guard.</p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/9/25/4768398/lou-williams-injury-return-date-atlanta-hawksKris Willis2013-09-20T12:00:11-04:002013-09-20T12:00:11-04:00Will Lou Williams be ready for opening night?
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<figcaption>David Richard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>One of the biggest questions heading into training camp will be the status of sixth man Lou Williams who is recovering from an ACL injury. </p> <p><i>Training camp is just around the corner and we will be taking a look at some potential storylines surrounding the Hawks as they head into the preseason. Today we take a look at <span>Lou Williams</span>' recovery from ACL surgery. </i></p>
<p>One of the biggest questions for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> heading into training camp will be the status of Lou Williams for the early part of the season. Williams was <a href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/1/18/3892592/lou-williams-injury-atlanta-hawks">injured on January 18 against the Brooklyn Nets</a> and had surgery to repair a torn ACL on February 7. The team was hopeful that he would be ready for the start of the season and he has returned to basketball related workouts.</p>
<p>In most cases ACL recovery time is 8-12 months. October would be the eight month mark for Williams so a return for opening night is certainly a possibility. However, as <span>Derrick Rose</span> situation showed last year there is still no guarantees and the Hawks have not officially announced anything regarding Williams although I expect the question will be asked at media day prior to training camp.</p>
<p>Case in point is Rajon Rondo's situation. Rondo suffered what was called a partial tear of his ACL in a game against the Hawks last season. He had surgery eight days after Williams on February 15 and <a href="http://tracking.si.com/2013/09/16/rajon-rondo-miss-celtics-opener/">his status for the preseason and season opener appears to be in doubt</a>.</p>
<p>The Hawks aren't likely to rush Williams and getting comfortable playing again is a big part in recovering from an ACL injury. If Williams is not ready to go at the start of the season then it could have an effect on what the roster looks like on opening night.</p>
<p>Atlanta currently has 14 players under contract for next season. One of those players is point guard <span>Shelvin Mack</span> whose contract is not guaranteed. Atlanta recently issued a training camp invite to veteran <span>Royal Ivey</span> who will also be trying to impress the coaching staff during training camp. If Williams is not ready then the Hawks could opt to use their remaining roster spot on another guard just to provide a little more depth.</p>
<p>If Williams is healthy come opening day then Atlanta is likely to leave a roster spot open for further flexibility should an opportunity for a trade arise during the season.</p>
<p>Update</p>
<p>I asked the question and Chris Vivlamore of the AJC was apparently there to answer:</p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/9/20/4737242/lou-williams-injury-return-date-atlanta-hawksKris Willis2013-07-25T03:00:08-04:002013-07-25T03:00:08-04:00Video Evidence of Lou Williams rehab
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<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Last January, Louis Williams tore his ACL and has been making the long road to recovery and he is close to making his way back.</p> <p>Via NBA.com and Y!Sports comes the fifth video in the long journey that <span>Lou Williams</span> has taken to get back on the floor for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a>.</p>
<p>In this video, Lou discusses the work, the new players, his new coach and the city league he is trying to help launch in Atlanta.</p>
<p>Since he can't play, he coaches. <a target="_blank" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/video/lou-williams-road-recovery-ep-223235749.html" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>Check it all out in the clip below:</b></a></p>
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<p><iframe width="624" height="351" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="http://sports.yahoo.com/video/lou-williams-road-recovery-ep-223235749.html?format=embed&player_autoplay=false"></iframe></p>
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<p>Williams is somewhat of a forgotten man despite the high hopes the Hawks had for the role Williams would play in the effort to replace the scoring of <span>Joe Johnson</span> from the 2-guard spot.</p>
<p>Williams was brought in at a below-market price to provide the scoring but with more efficiency than before with Joe. Lou played 39 games before his injury and struggled to deliver the high level of efficiency as he had in Philadelphia.</p>
<p><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willilo02.html" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">His numbers were down across the board</a>, </b>even as his minutes per game were among his highest for a season (28.7 mpg). A big culprit was the reduced amount of free throws attempted (Welcome to the Hawks, Lou!). His aggressiveness did pay dividends for the team, as EvilDallas noted in his <a target="_blank" href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/5/28/4364566/lou-williams-atlanta-hawks-season-review" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>season review on Williams.</b></a></p>
<p>Even despite the dip, it's good to see Lou back in action and his attitude is that of a seasoned vet with a lot to offer his teammates. It's a shame he got hurt because we couldn't see what he might do with a full season and if some of those adjustments to a new team could be made and if his FTA rate would go back up.</p>
<p>Hard not to like the guy - He's ATL all the way. Will be good to see him get back into the groove with the Hawks.</p>
<p><b>GROUP QUESTION: What role do you see Lou playing with the Hawks next season? How many MPG do you think he'll get with the 2013-14 Atlanta Hawks?</b></p>
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https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/7/25/4553556/atlanta-hawks-video-lou-williamsJason Walker