25-year old starting center Al Horford is going to miss the next 3-4 months due to a torn left pectoral muscle that will require surgery.  Horford has played in 11 games (all starts) for the Hawks this year and he is averaging 31.6 minutes, 12.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 blocked shots per game.  The Hawks are holding out hope that he will be able to return to action sometime in the playoffs…..but that could be wishful thinking.  27-year old Zaza Pachulia will replace Horford as the starting center for the rest of the regular season, at least.  Pachulia has played in 11 games (0 starts) for the Hawks so far this year and he is averaging 15.9 minutes, 5.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. Pachulia is not in Horford’s league as a defensive player but he should be able to rebound and give the Hawks a presence offensively around the basket.

The Atlanta Hawks will be without 30-year old PG/SG Kirk Hinrich for about a month after he had recent surgery to remove a cyst and repair his labrum in his left shoulder.  Hinrich played in 24 games (22 starts) for the Hawks last year and he averaged 28.6 minutes, 8.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.  The Hawks are going to miss Hinrich’s outside shot as he nailed 42.1% of his shots from three point range last year for the Hawks.  Jeff Teague will not only have to start while Hinrich is out of action, but he’s going to have to play big minutes.

29-year old shooting guard Joe Johnson might have returned way too early from elbow surgery as his stroke on his shot has looked awful so far this year.  Johnson has played in 27 games (all starts) for the Hawks so far this year and he is averaging 36.4 minutes, 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.  His scoring numbers are way down so far this year because he’s only shooting 39.9% from the floor and 26.6% from three point range so far this year.  The Hawks need Johnson to get his shooting stroke back and for him to average over 20 points per game for them to play at their peak level.

The Atlanta Hawks will be without 24-year old starting small forward Marvin Williams for at least the next four games due to a back problem.  Williams has played in 30 games (28 starts) for the Hawks so far this year and he is averaging 30.0 minutes, 11.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.  Look for Jamal Crawford and Maurice Evans to see bumps in playing time until Williams is ready to return to action.

29-year old shooting guard Joe Johnson got a max deal from the Hawks over the summer and he’s playing like he’s counting his cash instead of focusing on playing basketball.  Johnson has played in 18 games (all starts) for the Hawks so far this year and he is averaging 35.5 minutes, 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.  Johnson is only shooting 40.9% from the floor and 25.6% from three point range so far this year and that’s awful for him.  The Hawks need Johnson to pick up the pace if they are going to play at a peak level.

UPDATE:  (12/2/2010) – Joe Johnson has underwent surgery on his right elbow earlier today and the injury will keep him out of action the next 4-6 weeks.

The Hawks will be without starting small forward Marvin Williams for a couple of weeks due to a knee problem. Williams has played in 5 games (all starts) so far this year and he is averaging 30.8 minutes, 10.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. Josh Smith has replaced Williams as the small forward, Al Horford has moved from center to power forward and Jason Collins is starting at center while Williams is out of action. Collins has played in 5 games (3 starts) for the Hawks so far this year and he is averaging 10.8 minutes, 2.8 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.

The Hawks have lost point guard Speedy Claxton for the season before he even played in a game. Claxton might need microfracture surgery on his left knee which could cause him to retire. Look for Anthony Johnson, Acie Law and Tyronn Lue to continue to split minutes at the point this season. Johnson has played in 26 games so far this season and he’s averaging 6.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game. He will continue to get the bulk of the minutes until Law starts to pick up his play. Law has played in 23 games this season and he’s averaging 4.7 points, 1.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. But, Law is only shooting 37.2% from the floor so the Hawks can’t give him big minutes until he improves from the floor. Tyronn Lue has been banged up this season as he’s only played in 18 games this season. Lue is the best shooter of this motley crew but he’s not much of a passer as he’s averaged 6.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.

Josh Childress will miss the remainder of the season with a stress fracture in his right foot.  Childress had a solid year for the Hawks as he averaged 36.8 minutes, 13.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steal per game.  It’s a shame that he will miss the rest of the season because he was getting big minutes for the Hawks and playing well.

Speedy Claxton’s knee is bothering him again and this time it could end his season. The Hawks gave Claxton a lot of money in free agency and he’s been a complete bust!  He played in 42 games and he averaged 25.1 minutes, 5.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game.  He also shot an embarrassing 32.7% from the floor.  The Hawks will likely be looking to upgrade at point guard in either the draft or free agency this off season.

Joe Johnson could be out 3-4 weeks and possibly the remainder of the season with a deep contusion of his right calf muscle.  This is a gigantic blow to the Hawks as Johnson is by far the best player on the Hawks.  He has played in 57 games this season and he’s averaged 41.4 minutes, 25.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game.  The Hawks can’t replace his on the court performance.