The Hawks will be without center Zaza Pachulia for tonight's pivotal matchup against the Boston Celtics, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Pachulia has missed the last three games with a sprained left foot. He did not take place in the morning shoot-around and head coach Larry Drew ruled him out. Pachulia averages 7.8 point and 7.9 rebounds in 28.3 minutes per game. Drew did not know how much longer he would be out.
Backup center Eric Dampier did participate in the shoot-around but is a game-time decision, according to Drew. Dampier missed the last game with a calf injury.
The Hawks enter Friday's game virtually tied with the Celtics in the standings, but Boston has one more loss and has played one more game. A win tonight would move Atlanta alone into fourth place, which brings home-court advantage in the first round.
For more on this game Hawks fans should visit Peachtree Hoops and Celtics fans should check out CelticsBlog. For more news and notes from around the NBA head over to SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.