The Nets never bought into the uncertainty.
Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford hinted that he might sit out Game 2 of the Eastern Conference playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets with a dislocated pinky. But Brook Lopez and Lionel Hollins never believed for a second that Horford would sit, and sure enough, Horford told reporters Tuesday that he was ready to go.
“I never thought he wasn’t (playing),” Hollins said. “He’s got a pinky injury.”
Horford is one of Atlanta’s many All-Stars, and arguably their best player. He dislocated the pinky on his shooting hand during the fourth quarter of Game 1, returned to the floor with a wrap on his hand after missing five minutes, and badly missed two shots. The Hawks won, 99-92.
Following the game, Horford expressed doubt that he would play in Game 2, before confirming Tuesday that he was good to go.
“I don’t know (if) he’s trying to trick me right now,” Lopez said when he first heard Horford might sit, later adding that he didn’t want to give Horford motivation. “I don’t want him to go 10-for-10 on those pops or anything like that,” Lopez laughed. “I’m going to play him the same way.”
