That sore thumb injury won't keep Joe Johnson out very long.
Hawks Vice President of Media Relations Arthur Triche tweeted that the Atlanta All-Star shooting guard participated in practice on Tuesday and will play in Atlanta's Wednesday night showdown with the fourth place Orlando Magic. The AJC's Michael Cunningham writes that Johnson will wear a protective shield over the troublesome right thumb.
Johnson hurt his right thumb scrapping for a rebound in the third quarter of Atlanta's playoff-clinching 98-87 win over the New Jersey Nets on Saturday night when he banged hands with Anthony Morrow. Johnson briefly stayed in the game before the Hawks were forced to use a 20 second time out. Trainer Wally Blase and Johnson went to the locker room for a precautionary X-ray.
Johnson did not fly with the team to Cleveland the next day and missed Atlanta's Sunday afternoon tilt against the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Atlanta shooting guard has struggled a bit after signing a max contract in the offseason. Johnson is averaging just 18.5 points per game after averaging over 20 points per game in his previous five NBA seasons.