In the News

Allen out for Celtics; Hawks minus Pachulia
Celtics guard Ray Allen is out for Sunday's Game 1 of an Eastern Conference quarterfinals series against the Hawks.

Johnson's 18 points lead Hawks over Bobcats 116-96 (Yahoo! Sports)

Joe Johnson scored 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting, and eight Atlanta players scored in double digits in the Hawks' 116-96 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday night. The Hawks broke open the game in the third quarter by shooting 17 of 23 from the field while scoring a season-high 38 points.

Nene's 22 points lifts Nuggets past Hawks in OT (Yahoo! Sports)

Nene scored 22 points, Ty Lawson had 21 points and seven assists and the Denver Nuggets rallied to beat the Atlanta Hawks 118-117 in overtime on Tuesday night. Joe Johnson scored 34 points and Josh Smith had a season-high 33 points and 13 rebounds for the Hawks, who had a chance to win it at the buzzer.

Heat rally to beat Hawks, 89-86 (Yahoo! Sports)

LeBron James had 31 points and 11 rebounds, Dwyane Wade added 18 points and set up Udonis Haslem for an alley-oop dunk with 12 seconds left, and the Miami Heat rallied to beat the Atlanta Hawks 89-86 on Wednesday night. Miami won its 11th straight at home and had to come from 10 points down in the third quarter to extend the streak.

Hawks beat Pacers for third straight victory (Yahoo! Sports)

Josh Smith had 27 points and nine rebounds, leading the Atlanta Hawks to their third straight victory, 101-96 over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night. Smith scored 13 points in the first quarter, 11 in the third, and fell three points shy of his season high. Jannero Pargo had 16 points, while Marvin Williams and Zaza Pachulia each scored 12 for the Hawks.

Lee, Warriors hold off Hawks' rally, 85-82 (Yahoo! Sports)

David Lee scored 22 points, including the go-ahead basket with 30 seconds remaining, and the Golden State Warriors answered a late comeback by Atlanta to beat the Hawks 85-82 on Wednesday night. The Warriors kept the lead until Zaza Pachulia scored on a follow-up shot after a miss by Teague with 52 seconds remaining for a 78-78 tie.

Hawks' Johnson hoping for Wednesday return
Hawks All-Star guard Joe Johnson and center Zaza Pachulia are questionable for Wednesday night's game against Golden State, coach Larry Drew said.

Hawks use late 3s to stun Pistons in OT (AP)

Joe Johnson scored 28 of his 30 points after halftime, including a tying 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds left in regulation, and the Atlanta Hawks stunned the Detroit Pistons 107-101 in overtime Friday night. Atlanta forced overtime with a pair of late 3-pointers. Marvin Williams made one with 33.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to three, then Johnson stole a pass inside and brought...

Hawks move to 4-0 since losing Horford (AP)

Joe Johnson scored 24 points and came up with a key defensive play down the stretch, leading the Atlanta Hawks to their fourth straight victory since losing All-Star center Al Horford, 92-89 over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. The Hawks closed the third period on a 14-0 run, but the Trail Blazers responded with a 13-0 spurt starting the fourth to tie it up.

Pachulia back as Hawks can clinch series (AP)
When Zaza Pachulia showed up for practice Monday, one guy was really glad to see him. "I gave him a big hug," Hawks coach Larry Drew said. Atlanta's bruising center was suspended from Game 4 of the Eastern Conference playoffs after head-butting Orlando's Jason Richardson, a play that just added to the lore of a bench player who knows his role is to play physical, turn up the...

Hawks, Magic each lose player for a game
Atlanta Hawks' Zaza Pachulia, Orlando Magic's Jason Richardson suspended one playoff game for fighting.

2011 NBA playoffs: NBA suspends Zaza Pachulia of Atlanta Hawks, Jason Richardson of Orlando Magic for scuffle
Orlando Magic guard Jason Richardson and Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia have been suspended for Game 4 on Sunday for their roles in an altercation in the final minutes of Friday's game at Philips Arena, the NBA announced Saturday.

Two suspended for Hawks-Magic Game 4
The NBA has suspended Atlanta's Zaza Pachulia and Orlando's Jason Richardson for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference playoffs after their altercation in the closing minutes of the third game.

Crawford's late 3 helps Hawks top Magic (AP)

Jamal Crawford banked in a 3-pointer with 5.7 seconds left to cap a brilliant second half, leading the Atlanta Hawks to an 88-84 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday night and a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference playoff series. The Hawks led most of the game, but things got close and testy in the final minutes.

Magic hold off Hawks to even series at 1 (AP)

Dwight Howard had 33 points and 19 rebounds, Jameer Nelson added 13 points and eight rebounds and the Orlando Magic held off the Atlanta Hawks 88-82 on Tuesday night. The Magic evened the best-of-seven series, with Game 3 Friday night in Atlanta. Orlando used a 10-1 run to close the third quarter to take an 11-point lead into the fourth and fought off a late Atlanta charge down the stretch.

Hawks rally past travel-weary Celtics (AP)

Al Horford capped his 35th double-double with a key tip-in with 7.9 seconds remaining and the Atlanta Hawks surged in the fourth quarter to beat the travel-weary Boston Celtics 88-83 on Friday night. The Hawks' lead was only three points when Horford tipped in a miss by Joe Johnson. Jamal Crawford had 20 points and Johnson had 19 despite making only 4 of 20 shots from the field.

Nuggets move to 9-2 since Anthony trade (AP)

Nene scored 20 points, J.R. Smith added all of his 15 in the fourth quarter, and the Denver Nuggets ran away to another win, beating the Atlanta Hawks 102-87 Wednesday night. It looked as if the game would go down to the wire when Zaza Pachulia flipped in a putback, pulling the Hawks to 72-69 with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Surging Mavericks defeat Hawks 102-91 (AP)

Dirk Nowitzki scored 19 points, Jason Terry added 18 points and a season-high 11 assists, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Atlanta Hawks 102-91 on Saturday night. Jason Kidd had 12 points and eight rebounds, and Tyson Chandler also had 12 points for the Mavericks, who had seven double-figure scorers.

Johnson, Pachulia spark Hawks past Grizzlies
Joe Johnson scored 22 points and Zaza Pachulia provided a spark off the bench with 17 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 119-104 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night in both teams' season openers.

Hawks hand Lakers second straight loss (AP)
The Atlanta Hawks are looking to make a lengthy run in the NBA playoffs. Their bench sure appears deep enough for the long haul. Joe Johnson scored 25 points despite an aching thumb, but it was the Atlanta reserves who came up big against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. Maurice Evans scored 18, Jamal Crawford added 14 and Zaza Pachulia chipped in with his first double-double in more than a year, leading...

Atlanta Hawks without Jamal Crawford, Zaza Pachulia against the Miami Heat
The Atlanta Hawks are without guard Jamal Crawford and backup center Zaza Pachulia against the Miami Heat.

Crawford's key 3s lift Hawks by Celtics (AP)

Jamal Crawford scored 18 points, including two crucial 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Boston Celtics for the second time this season, 93-85 Friday night. Trailing 45-39 at the half, the Hawks dominated the third quarter and pushed their lead as high as 15 points. Boston fought back and pulled within two in the final period, but Crawford stymied the visiting...

Smith has 41 with 10 3s to lift Nuggets (AP)

J.R. Smith came off the bench to score a season-high 41 points, hitting 10 3-pointers, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Atlanta Hawks 124-104 Wednesday night. Carmelo Anthony added 24 points and rookie Ty Lawson, starting in place of the injured Chauncey Billups (groin), had 16, helping Denver win its sixth in a row at home.

Balanced Hawks rout Raptors again (AP)

Joe Johnson scored 20 points, Jamal Crawford and Maurice Evans each had 15, and the Atlanta Hawks handed the Raptors another double-digit loss, beating Toronto 111-89 on Friday night. Zaza Pachulia scored 14 points, Jeff Teague had 11 and Al Horford scored 10 for Atlanta, which has won three straight and five of seven.

Hawks score 146 in rout of Raptors (AP)

Al Horford had 24 points to lead nine scorers in double figures and the Atlanta Hawks enjoyed their best offensive night in 16 years to beat the slumping Toronto Raptors 146-115 on Wednesday night. The Hawks had their highest-scoring game since Jan. 30, 1993, when they beat Philadelphia 149-123. They had nine players in double figures for the first time since Dec.

Bobcats coach Brown ejected in loss (AP)

Rookie Jeff Teague had 17 points and seven assists, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 107-90 victory over the Charlotte in a preseason game Monday night that saw Bobcats coach Larry Brown escorted off the court by security after being ejected. Joe Johnson and Zaza Pachulia each scored 14 points for the Hawks.

Hawks ink 14-year veteran power forward Smith
Free agent forward Joe Smith is the Atlanta Hawks' free-agent answer to the team's lack of inside depth. The Hawks have signed Smith, a 14-year veteran and unrestricted free agent. The 6-foot-10, 225-pound Smith will join center Zaza Pachulia as the top inside backups behind starters Al Horford and Josh Smith for the Hawks, who advanced to the second round of the playoffs last season. Terms of the deal were not released on Tuesday.

2009 NBA free agency tracker
2009 NBA Free Agency Tracker Team Free agents Signed with Atlanta Mike Bibby Thomas Gardner Othello Hunter Solomon Jones Flip Murray Zaza Pachulia Mario West Marvin Williams Hawks — — — — Hawks — — Boston Glen Davis Stephon Marbury Mikki Moore Leon Powe — — — — Charlotte Raymond Felton Juwon Howard Cartier Martin Sean May Sean Singletary — — — — — Chicago Ben Gordon Aaron Gray Lindsay Hunter Pistons — Bulls Cleveland Joe Smith Wally Szczerbiak Anderson Varejao Lorenzen Wright — — Cavaliers — Dallas Brandon Bass Gerald Green Ryan Hollins Jason Kidd James Singleton Magic — — Mavericks —

Hawks announce deals with Bibby, Pachulia
The Atlanta Hawks are hustling to keep pace with the Eastern Conference's elite teams. The Hawks, who traded for guard Jamal Crawford last month, on Monday announced they have re-signed unrestricted free agents Mike Bibby and Zaza Pachulia. The Hawks finished the 2008-09 regular season as the No. 4 team in the conference. Coach Mike Woodson said moves made by Eastern Conference powers Boston, Orlando and Cleveland put pressure on the Hawks to also be active this offseason.

NBA free agents: Atlanta Hawks officially announce Mike Bibby, Zaza Pachulia deals
The Atlanta Hawks have officially announced new deals to re-sign unrestricted free agents Mike Bibby and Zaza Pachulia.

Hawks announce deals for Bibby, Pachulia (AP)
The Atlanta Hawks have officially announced new deals to re-sign unrestricted free agents Mike Bibby and Zaza Pachulia. Hawks coach Mike Woodson said the two are returning to "finish what we started" after leading the team to two straight playoff appearances. Terms of the deals, first reported last week, were not announced Monday.

NBA free agents: Atlanta Hawks reportedly reach deal to re-sign Zaza Pachulia
The Atlanta Hawks are making another move to keep their playoff roster together by reaching an agreement to re-sign center Zaza Pachulia.

Ginobili's 27 off bench lift Spurs (AP)

Sometimes Manu Ginobili enjoys the thought of coming off the bench. It looks as if Wednesday was one of those nights. Ginobili scored 27 points in a return to his sixth-man role to help the San Antonio Spurs beat Atlanta 95-89 for their fourth straight victory. Ginobili, the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year last season, scored 14 points in the fourth quarter.

Suns G Nash sprains right ankle (AP)

Grant Hill made an 18-foot jump shot with 5.6 seconds left and the Phoenix Suns beat the Atlanta Hawks 102-100 in a preseason game Wednesday night. "I thought it was going to be 120 or something the way it was in the first half," Suns coach Terry Porter said of the game which Phoenix led 59-58 at halftime.

Hawks C Pachulia aches for homeland (AP)
While war raged in his homeland, Zaza Pachulia ached from afar. He was a Georgian stuck in American Georgia, unable to return to his native country after the Russians invaded over the summer. "My mom, cousins, grandparents, friends ... they're all back there," said Pachulia, the Atlanta Hawks' rugged center.

Smith leads Hawks to Game 3 win (AP)

Led by high-flying Josh Smith, the Atlanta Hawks finally showed they can beat the Boston Celtics. Good timing. Smith scored 27 points -- and give him a perfect 10 in his own personal dunking contest -- to lead the Hawks to a 102-93 victory Saturday night that breathed life into their long-shot playoff hopes, cutting Boston's lead in the opening-round series to 2-1.

Up by 22, Hawks hold off Bulls 106-103 (AP)

Mike Bibby scored 30 points and the Atlanta Hawks held on after nearly blowing a 22-point lead, giving themselves some breathing room in the Eastern Conference playoff race with a 106-103 victory over the slumping Chicago Bulls on Friday night. The Hawks were up 31-12 before some late-arriving fans had even settled in their seats, and they appeared headed for a laugher when Al Horford's dunk made...

Hawks win again, alone in 8th in East (AP)

Mike Bibby scored 23 points and Joe Johnson added 18 points and 10 assists to lead the Atlanta Hawks over the Washington Wizards, 105-96 on Monday night. It was the Hawks' third straight win, moving them one-half game ahead of idle New Jersey for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks haven't made the playoffs since the 1998-99 season.

Hawks suspend center Pachulia for one game
The Atlanta Hawks suspended backup center Zaza Pachulia for Wednesday's game at Denver for conduct detrimental to the team.

Hawks suspend C Pachulia for 1 game (AP)
The Atlanta Hawks suspended backup center Zaza Pachulia for Wednesday's game at Denver for conduct detrimental to the team. General manager Billy Knight announced the suspension Tuesday, but team did not describe the nature of his transgression. Pachulia, however, had a run-in with coach Mike Woodson during Monday's 111-109 overtime loss to Portland at Philips Arena.

Hawks end 9-game losing streak to Jazz (AP)

Al Horford was incredulous when told the Atlanta Hawks hadn't beaten the Utah Jazz in five years. "Really? I didn't know that," said the rookie before pausing and adding "We're 1-0 against them now. I feel pretty good." Joe Johnson scored 26 points, including 20 in the second half, and Anthony Johnson had 14 assists to help the Hawks end their nine-game losing streak against Utah, holding off the...

Zaza Pachulia, F/C - ATL
Pachulia plays well in Hawks win Visit Rotoworld.com for more analysis on this update.