Atlanta Hawks fans can exhale. Josh Smith is back in the game.
The Atlanta forward left Monday night's game against the Denver Nuggets early in the second quarter after colliding with the Denver's J.R. Smith, apparently injuring his right knee.
The initial report out of Colorado was that J-Smoove was going to be reevaluated at the break. However, with his team sagging a bit, Josh Smith returned with 2:43 left in the frame.
He was immediately fouled and connected on a pair of free throws.
The good news is that Josh Smith was healthy enough to talk to the team's TV broadcast at the break. He should hopefully be healthy enough to return for the second half.
Josh Smith posted 10 points and grabbed five boards in the first half. Atlanta can use every little bit of offense out of him in the second 24 minutes of basketball.