Al Horford still not 100 percent, Hawks expect him ready for opening night

When the Atlanta Hawks open up training camp, starting center Al Horford will be with the team but not participating in contact activities right away.

The 28-year-old tore his right pectoral muscle in late December, causing him to miss the remainder of the season and the FIBA World Cup, where he had hoped to suit up for the Dominican Republic. He was originally expected to be fully ready for training camp, but he's still somewhere short of full health, as head coach Mike Budenholzer told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an interview published Thursday:

He has made good progress. I think we are excited about having him back and healthy. I still think he’s got some hurdles to clear. He is not at 100 percent right now but I think we anticipate by opening night and through camp him getting to where he is totally cleared and ready to go. He’s had a heck of a summer. Al is diligent and works hard and takes care of himself so I think that will all be in a good place.

Budenholzer preached patience and caution, saying the team will bring Horford along only as quickly as his body allows, with the regular season being the goal rather than any particular point in the preseason.

It's smart to play things safe with Horford, as his health is paramount to the Hawks improving on their 38-44 mark from a season ago. 

Before suffering the injury, Horford had been averaging a career-high 18.6 points, along with 8.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 blocks, all while shooting 56.7 percent from the floor. One of the best offensive big men in the Eastern Conference, the Hawks' attack becomes far more versatile and lethal with Horford manning the pivot.