Atlanta Hawks: Danilo Gallinari return is imminent

The Atlanta Hawks have announced that Danilo Gallinari is progressing in his recovery.

The Atlanta Hawks are starting to get their players back from injury. Tony Snell came back for the Philadelphia 76ers  games, Rajon Rondo was back for the game against the Utah Jazz. Now the Hawks have announced that Danilo Gallinari has moved to contact drills and is listed as doubtful, rather than out for the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday.

Gallinari hurt his ankle in the loss against the Brooklyn Nets after playing just three minutes off the bench. He appeared to fit the Hawks offensive scheme, quite well in the short time he has been on the court. He had played 24 minutes in his first game, scoring 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting. He got to the line four times as well as collecting four rebounds and giving out three assists

In the second game, he had five points in those three minutes, hitting both of his shots. This is what the Hawks have been missing since Gallinari’s injury. Mind you, Gallinari’s shooting ability is rare in a player who is 6’10”. It makes him a very hard match up.

The Atlanta Hawks can not get Danilo Gallinari back quick enough

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The fact that Gallinari is coming back will make Trae Young very happy. The floor has shrunk without any consistent shooting from deep. The Hawks are 25th in the league only shooting the ball at 33.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Gallinari is a career 38.1 percent shooter from deep. He has not shot under 40 percent for the past two seasons which will help the entire team if he can replicate those numbers. However, Gallinari is not just a perimeter shooter.

The power forward is also very adept at getting to the line where he certainly knows how to how to convert. For his career, Gallinari gets to the line five times per game, making 87.3 percent of his attempts. This is one way to keep the offense moving when the shots aren’t falling. The Hawks have been missing everything he brings to the court and will be glad to get him back.