Josh Smith Suffers Sprained Patella Ligament In Knee, Misses Game 3 Loss Vs. Celtics

Josh Smith Injury: Hawks' Forward Plans To Return For Game 4 Against Celtics

As expected, Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith still plans to play in Game 4 at TD Garden Sunday night after testing his injured knee during shootaround. Smith sat out the Hawks' Game 3 overtime loss with strained patella ligament, an injury he suffered battling Kevin Garnett in the post during the fourth quarter of their Game 2 loss. But Smith was adamant he would return for Game 4, regardless of how the knee felt. Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweeted Sunday afternoon that there's no change to the plans of his return, via @AJCHawks:

No change on #Hawks Josh Smith (knee) after shootaround. He still plans to play GM 4 vs. #Celtics

— Michael Cunningham (@ajchawks) May 6, 2012

Smith's return could be a huge boost for the Hawks, who are trying to even their series with the Celtics and reclaim home court advantage. Tip is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET in Boston.

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Josh Smith Injury: Hawks' Forward Says He'll Return For Game 4 Vs. Celtics

The Atlanta Hawks have fallen behind, two games to one, in their opening-round NBA Playoff series against the Boston Celtics, but they may be receiving some reinforcements for Game 4 on Sunday as they try to even things up.

Hawks forward Josh Smith left Game 2 with a knee injury and missed the entirety of Game 3, but is planning to return to the lineup on Sunday. Peachtree Hoops collected comments from Smith, via Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Smith seems dead-set on playing.

"I'm probably going to play regardless how [knee] feels because I know the importance of this game."

Josh Smith on what could keep him from playing GM 4: "If I fall down the escalator and re-injure something."

Smith's return could be a much-needed shot in the arm for Atlanta in Game 4 and just might be the key to victory.

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Josh Smith Injury Update: Hawks' Forward Will Not Play In Game 3

Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith tried hard, but it appears he will not be healthy enough in time to play in Game 3 of the team's first-round 2012 NBA Playoffs series against the Boston Celtics on Friday. Smith suffered a strained patella ligament in the Hawks' Game 2 loss on Tuesday and will not be in the lineup, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.

Atlanta's Josh Smith will not play in Game 3 against Boston tonight, league source tells Y! "Knee is just too sore," source says. Will try for Game 4 on Sunday.

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Josh Smith Injury Update: Hawks' Forward May Play In Game 3 Despite Knee Injury

The Atlanta Hawks will head to the East Coast to take on the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of their playoff series. Hawks forward Josh Smith left Game 2 with a knee injury, but is hoping to be able to play in the next game and attempt to allow Atlanta to reclaim the series lead.

Bob Rathburn of FOX Sports reports that Smith will plan on playing in Game 3 if he is not hurting after the Friday shootaround. Jay King at SB Nation Boston rounded up some more comments by Smith as reported by Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

J. Smith on knee: "It's getting better and better each and every day. I will see how it feels at shootaround [Fri.]."

J. Smith: "I have a high threshold for pain. If I feel like I can go a little bit I'm going to step out on the floor."

J. Smith has yet to run on knee: "At shootaround I will probably try to go a little bit harder than normal and see how it feels.

It would certainly be good news for the Hawks if they had Smith available. Center Zaza Pachulia will be out through Game 5 at least.

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Josh Smith Injury Update: Hawks' Forward Doubtful For Game 3, Likely For Game 4

Josh Smith's run-in with Kevin Garnett late in Game 2 of the Atlanta Hawks's 2012 NBA Playoffs first-round series against the Boston Celtics will likely keep the forward out of Game 3, according to Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Smith is reportedly doubtful for Friday with patellar tendonitis in his left knee, but should be okay for Game 4.

#Hawks F Josh Smith has patellar tendonitis. Inflammation in area but no structural damage. Doubtful GM 3, probable GM 4 vs. BOS

— Michael Cunningham (@ajchawks) May 2, 2012

Smith's absence would be a massive blow to the Hawks. He had 16 points and 12 rebounds before gingerly walking off the court with under five minutes to play Tuesday night. Smith has recorded a double-double in three of his last four outings. Rebounding will be key in what is shaping up to be a defensive series. Without Smith, the Hawks have few players who can clean up the rim on a consistent basis.

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Josh Smith Injury Update: Hawks' Forward Has Sprained Patella Ligament, According To Report

The news keeps getting worse for the Atlanta Hawks following their 87-80 loss to an undermanned Boston Celtics team in Game 2 of their 2012 NBA Playoffs first-round series. Star forward Josh Smith suffered a sprained patella ligament in his left knee in the fourth quarter of the loss, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

Atlanta's Josh Smith has sprained patella ligament in knee, source tells Y! "He walked out of arena w/ no help, just gingerly," source says.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) May 2, 2012

Smith will have an MRI to check the severity of the injury on Wednesday, but an MRI can often confirm what is already known. The injury occurred midway through the fourth quarter when Smith was trying to guard Kevin Garnett. He tried to play through the pain, but departed for good with four and a half minutes left.

It remains unclear whether Smith will miss any time in the series, but if he cannot play, it's a huge loss for the Hawks. Smith put together another fine season this year, keeping the Hawks afloat after Al Horford suffered a season-ending injury early in the year.

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Josh Smith Injury: Hawks Forward Out With Knee Sprain

In the fourth quarter of Game 2 of their series against the Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith was forced to leave the floor with a knee injury. Smith was defending Kevin Garnett in the post when the two players knocked knees. The contact didn't appear to affect Garnett at all, but Smith immediately started limping. He tried to play through the injury, but eventually had to come off the floor and go back to the locker room.

NBA TV sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson passed along the news that Smith has a sprained left knee, but that the team was not sure about his return. Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports is saying that Smith is unlikely to return to the game

Hawks forward Josh Smith likely out for rest of game with sprained left knee.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) May 2, 2012

Smith had 16 points and 12 rebounds when he left the game, and the Hawks trailed the Celtics by two points.

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