Hawks stud defensive minded backup shooting guard is near his return from injury. Thabo Sefolosha is expected to return to the Hawks lineup soon after he received a strain in his right calf muscle on January 31, and he has missed the past 23 games for the East-leading Atlanta Hawks. The Atlanta Journal Constitution quoted Hawks head coach, Mike Budenholzer, saying,
“Thabo is very close,” Budenholzer said. “He had a very good workout today. I think we’ll see how his calf responds to that. If everything is in a good place … I’ll just leave it as he is very, very close.”
Thabo has been working out with the team, and he has been looking very good. The AJC also said that
“Sefolosha began doing three-on-work work last week, a sign that he was nearing the end of the extended absence.”
Thabo’s return could not come at a better time, as the guard/forward has contributed very well this season playing 19.0 minutes per game. While he does not score that much, his defensive presence is one of the best in the game. His return will help, the Hawks defense has given up triple digit point totals in 4 of their last 5 games, including their last three games, giving up over 110 points. They could surely use a spark defensively, and Thabo Sefolosha’s return could be that spark that they need.
