The bad news is Joe Johnson appears to be under the weather, and whatever illness is afflicting him currently could possibly keep him out of the lineup for tomorrow night and Friday night's game in Charlotte.

After practice, Horford addressed the media on his return to the court. Al's no dummy; he knows the team has missed his presence in the middle (especially defensively - I think Zaza Pachulia did a pretty solid job on the offensive end in his absence), and his return couldn't have come at a better time with Al Jefferson and Kevin Love on the opposing team tomorrow night.

Mike Woodson also spoke on the return of his starting center, and in addition offered some thoughts on the rumor of his former coach's interest (that'd be Bob Knight) in the currently available Georgia coaching gig.

Why this team can't get completely healthy all at the same time is beyond me, but lest we start playing the "woe-is-me" card, let's just be thankful each of the major injuries suffered by Hawks players this season have been of the 3-4 week variety and nothing more. With the Lakers losing Andrew Bynum for 8-12 weeks with a torn MCL, and with Orlando's Jameer Nelson out with a torn labrum, it could certainly be worse. Fortunately for the Hawks, Flip Murray has been playing his best ball of the season of late, so hopefully he'll at least be able to provide some of the scoring punch the team will undeniably lack without their captain and All-Star.

Speaking of Nelson, his injury will almost certainly keep him from competing for the East in the upcoming All-Star game, if not the rest of the season. With Devin Harris the only other true point guard on the roster (not that that really matters too much, it's an All-Star game after all), it seems likely a point guard would take his place. Could Mike Bibby be that guard? It's possible. I think Bibs needs to make people take notice of him the next couple games to raise his profile, but my guess would be that either Rajon Rondo of the East-leading Celtics or Mo Williams of the Cavaliers will have a slight edge. Still, let's keep hope alive, shall we?