Zaza Pachulia Injury: Hawks C Out For At Least Next Three Games

The hits keep on coming for the Atlanta Hawks front-line, which has been without All-Star C Al Horford for most of the season.

Zaza Pachulia, who stepped into the starting line-up in Horford's absence, revealed today that the best case scenario for his return from a bone chip injury in his foot would probably be a Game 7:

.@zaza27 says he has bone chip in foot. Timetable for 4/13 injury was 4-6 wks. He's out for GM 4 & 5 and likely 6 (if necess.).

— Michael Cunningham (@ajchawks) May 3, 2012

With Josh Smith out for Game 3 with a knee injury, the Hawks front-court is painfully thin. The only healthy centers left on their roster are Jason Collins and Erick Dampier, while Ivan Johnson could have to play 30-35 minutes at the power forward position.

For more coverage of the Hawks, check out Peachtree Hoops while CelticsBlog has everything covered from a Boston perspective.

Zaza Pachulia Injury: Hawks Center Still Day-To-Day

Prior to Sunday's Game 1 win over the Celtics, Hawks center Zaza Pachulia talked about his foot injury and said that his recovery was in "slow motion" and that he didn't know if or when he might play in the series.

"I don't have an answer about that. I really don't. It would make it easier for you guys, me, the coaching staff and the team but I don't have an answer."

Atlanta survived Game 1 without Pachulia and the Hawks held their own on the boards with a 50-41 advantage. It wasn't always pretty with Jason Collins on the floor but his six points and five rebounds are more than the Hawks are used to getting from him. However, the longer this series goes the more the Hawks are going to miss Pachulia.

For more on the Hawks-Celtics playoff series check out Peachtree Hoops and CelticsBlog. For more news and notes regarding the NBA Playoffs head over to SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.

Zaza Pachulia Injury: Hawks Center Not Available For Game 1 Against Celtics

Confirming what was already thought, the Atlanta Hawks will be without center Zaza Pachulia for Game 1 of their first-round series with the Boston Celtics. Pachulia was still in a walking boot on Sunday and Hawks coach Larry Drew said that the center would not be available for tonight's game.

#Hawks C @zaza27 (foot) still in walking boot. Larry Drew says he's not available for Game 1 vs. #Celtics

— Michael Cunningham (@ajchawks) April 29, 2012

Drew also told the AJC's Michael Cunningham that he had not settled on a starting lineup for tonight's game. The Celtics are likely to start Kevin Garnett at center and Drew has the option of going with Jason Collins in the pivot or going small by inserting either Marvin Williams or Ivan Johnson into the starting lineup.

For more on the Hawks-Celtics playoff series check out Peachtree Hoops and CelticsBlog. For more news and notes regarding the NBA Playoffs head over to SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.

Zaza Pachulia Injury: Hawks Center Listed As Game-Time Decision

Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia did not practice on Saturday and is officially listed as a game-time decision for Sunday's Game 1 of the 2012 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics. Pachulia however is doubtful to play because of a foot injury that cost him the final seven games of the regular season.

Pachulia was to have his foot re-examined this weekend although there have been no reports of when that was to take place. Some improvement was reported on Thursday after the Hawks' regular season finale and Atlanta is hopeful that he can return to the lineup at some point during the series.

If Pachulia can't go, Larry Drew will have to decide to either start center Jason Collins or go with a small lineup with Marvin Williams at the power forward and Josh Smith at the center position.

For more on the Hawks-Celtics playoff series check out Peachtree Hoops and CelticsBlog. For more news and notes regarding the NBA Playoffs head over to SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.

Zaza Pachulia Injury: Hawks Center Says 'Significant Progress' On Left Foot

When we last received word, Thursday morning, on the ligament strain in Atlanta center Zaza Pachulia's left foot, an injury that had kept him out for six games, it looked like Hawks coach Larry Drew might be forced to match up against the Celtics and Kevin Garnett with Josh Smith at the five.

Thursday night, Atlanta Journal-Constitution beat writer Michael Cunningham tweeted some hopeful news for Hawks fans:

Zaza Pachulia says 'significant progress' in rehab on L foot. 'Swelling is down. Day-to-day. See how it goes.'

— Michael Cunningham (@ajchawks) April 27, 2012

A healthy Pachulia can only increase the Hawks' chances of making the second round, which will be needed if they want to see Al Horford on the court again this year.

For more on Zaza Pachulia and the Atlanta Hawks check out Peachtree Hoops. For more news and notes from around the NBA head over to SB Nation's NBA Basketball page

Zaza Pachulia Injury: Hawks Center Uncertain For Start Of Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks could be down two centers when they open their first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics this weekend. Al Horford says that he will miss the first-round series and Zaza Pachulia is also uncertain to be ready by this weekend as he recovers from a foot injury.

Pachulia has missed the last six games and will not play on Thursday against the Mavericks. He suffered a sprained ligament in his foot earlier this month against the Orlando Magic. He had been listed as day-to-day by the team and seems to be progressing but has not returned to action. Pachulia is scheduled to be re-examined this weekend and no doubt the Hawks will have their fingers crossed.

If Pachulia is unable to suit up against Boston, Larry Drew may be pressed into going with a small lineup with Josh Smith matched up with Kevin Garnett at the center position. Drew went with that lineup earlier against the New York Knicks when Amare Stoudemire got the start at center.

For more on Zaza Pachulia and the Atlanta Hawks check out Peachtree Hoops. For more news and notes from around the NBA head over to SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.

Zaza Pachulia Injury: Hawks Center Remains Out With Foot Injury

Zaza Pachulia sat out his fifth straight game with a foot injury on Sunday and head coach Larry Drew is unsure when he might get his big man back in the lineup. Drew even went so far to suggest that he wasn't sure if Pachulia would be back in time for the start of the playoffs.

"I'm hoping so. He's certainly doing better than, from my understanding, what they had anticipated. There is some progress with the injury and where he is with it."

Pachulia strained a ligament in his foot in Atlanta's final matchup with Orlando. He has filled in admirably at center for the Hawks after Al Horford was lost to injury just 11 games into the season. Jason Collins has started in place of Pachulia at center but Josh Smith got the start on Sunday as the Hawks went with a small lineup against the Knicks.

For more on Zaza Pachulia and the Atlanta Hawks check out Peachtree Hoops. For more news and notes from around the NBA head over to SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.

Zaza Pachulia Injury: Hawks Center Hopes To Return This Season

While the Hawks still have not confirmed anything regarding Zaza Pachulia's injury, he made a couple of comments to the AJC's Michael Cunningham that indicate that he could be dealing with more than a simple foot sprain.

More Zaza: "We will wait and see how it goes. I'm still hoping to be back this season." #Hawks

— Michael Cunningham (@ajchawks) April 17, 2012

An earlier report on Monday indicated that Pachulia could miss the remainder of the regular season. Atlanta may opt not to rush Pachulia back given their lack of quality depth at the center position. Jason Collins has started the last two games in Pachulia's absence and Ivan Johnson has played well off the bench. Still Johnson is an undersized option at the pivot and could be over matched against larger opponents.

For more on Zaza Pachulia and the Atlanta Hawks check out Peachtree Hoops. For more news and notes from around the NBA head over to SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.

Zaza Pachulia Injury: Hawks Center Could Miss Remainder Of Regular Season, According To Report

Zaza Pachulia's foot injury could be worse than first thought and the Hawks big man could reportedly miss the remainder of the regular season.

Hawks Vs. Raptors: Jason Collins Back In The Starting Lineup

Despite turning in one of their worst performances of the second-half of the season on Sunday, the Hawks will stick with the same starting lineup with Jason Collins replacing the injured Zaza Pachulia at the center position.

#Hawks starters for Raps rematch: Teague, Hinrich, Johnson, Smith, Collins

— Michael Cunningham (@ajchawks) April 16, 2012

Collins started and played just over five minutes finishing with one point and one rebound to his credit. Ivan Johnson came off the bench and finished with 14 points and seven rebounds. Johnson got the start in the second half at the center position for the Hawks.

Zaza Pachulia was slated to miss at least two games but his status for Wednesday's game against the Pistons is unknown at this time.

For more on this game Hawks fans should visit Peachtree Hoops and Rators fans should visit Raptors HQ. For more news and notes from around the NBA head over to SB Nation'sNBA Basketball page.

Raptors Vs. Hawks: Jason Collins To Start, Tracy McGrady Not Playing

Without Zaza Pachulia available Larry Drew will insert Jason Collins into the starting lineup for tonight's game against the Toronto Raptors. Despite being limited at both ends of the floor, Drew is going with Collins size over the much smaller Ivan Johnson.

Jason Collins to replace Zaza Pachulia (foot) in #Hawks starting lineup

— Michael Cunningham (@ajchawks) April 15, 2012

Pachulia is expected to miss at least two games with a foot injury and isn't the only Hawks player that won't be playing tonight. The Hawks have already confirmed that forward Tracy McGrady will dress but will not play. Larry Drew has been extremely cautious with McGrady and has resisted playing him in back-to-back situations. Looks like McGrady should be available for Monday's game in Toronto.

For more on this game Hawks fans should visit Peachtree Hoops and Rators fans should visit Raptors HQ. For more news and notes from around the NBA head over to SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.

Zaza Pachulia Injury Update: Hawks C Will Miss Next Two Games

The Atlanta Hawks have once again flown under the radar and have quietly posted the fourth best record in the Eastern Conference this season. One reason for the their success has been the consistent play of Zaza Pachulia, since he stepped in for All-Star big man Al Horford. With the end of the season drawing near, Pachulia's ankle injury isn't what Larry Drew had in mind going into the playoffs.

#Hawks C Zaza Pachulia (ankle) ruled out for next 2 games.

— Michael Cunningham (@ajchawks) April 14, 2012

X-rays on Pachulia's foot came back negative as he finished with eight points, four rebounds, and two assists in 16 minutes of action on Friday. With just seven games remaining, look for the Hawks to tread lightly with their big man.

For more on the Hawks, check out Peachtree Hoops. For more news and notes from around the NBA head over to SB Nation's NBA Basketball Page.