Al Horford Injury: Hawks' Center To Miss First Round Of NBA Playoffs

Al Horford Warming Up, 'Game-Time Decision' For Game 4

Though he had previously said he would miss all of the first round, Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford is warming up before Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Boston Celtics.

Horford has missed almost the entire 2011-2012 NBA season with a torn pectoral muscle, but the Hawks could use anyone with size at this point. Josh Smith missed the end of Game 2 and all of Game 3 — both Hawks losses — with a knee injury, and Horford's backup, Zaza Pachulia, is out for the series, meaning Jason Collins and Ivan Johnson are the only players on the active roster with any size and game experience.

There's no word yet on whether Horford will play, but he's on the active roster, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, meaning, even if he's not originally intended to get any minutes, he can go in case of emergency. How many minutes he'll get if he goes is up in the air, but it's hard to imagine him playing even close to 30.

The Hawks are down 2-1 to the Celtics, and they tip off in Atlanta at 7 p.m. ET.

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Al Horford Injury Update: Hawks' Big Man Says He'll Miss First Round Of 2012 NBA Playoffs

Atlanta Hawks big man Al Horford has wavered on whether his torn pectoral muscle in his shoulder would heal in time for him to return for the 2012 NBA Playoffs, but now, he has made a definitive public statement on the matter. The Hawks' All-Star center said he will miss the team's first-round NBA Playoffs series against the Boston Celtics and hopes to return if the Hawks advance to the second round.

#Hawks C @Al_Horford (pectoral) says he's out for 1st round vs. #Celtics. Hopes to play in 2nd round.

— Michael Cunningham (@ajchawks) April 25, 2012

One previous report suggested Horford would return for the playoffs, but that is not realistic, as Horford himself has admitted he's frustrated by the slow progress on his recovery. Horford suffered the shoulder injury on January 11, and it was speculated that his recovery time would be 3-4 months.

Without Horford, the Hawks will have to rely on Zaza Pachulia and Jason Collins against the Celtics. Pachulia is dealing with his own injury, a sprained foot ligament.

For more on the Hawks, visit Peachtree Hoops and SB Nation Atlanta.

Al Horford Injury: Atlanta Hawks' Center Cleared For Contact Practices, According To Report

Atlanta Hawks all-star center Al Horford has been cleared for contact practices, according to Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, raising speculation that he may return to the court before the NBA Playoffs begin. Horford has missed nearly all of the 2012 NBA season with a torn pectoral muscle, but continues to progress in his rehab, having previously been cleared for non-contact work two weeks ago.

Horford suffered the injury on January 12 against the Indiana Pacers, and most expected his recovery time to last 3-4 months. Despite his absence, the Hawks have managed to work their way into the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference. With Horford returning, they become much more dangerous in the playoffs.

Horford has career averages of 12.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, but really came on in 2010-11, earning his first All-Star berth. The 25-year old big man had played in just 11 games this season before the injury.

For more on the Hawks, visit Peachtree Hoops and SB Nation Atlanta.

Al Horford Injury Likely To Sideline Hawks' Big Man For Entire Season, According To Report

Al Horford, the Atlanta Hawks' solid center, is expected to miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury, according to multiple reports.