Hawks' Larry Nance: Struggles as starter in return

Nance (hand) scored four points (2-10 FG, 0-4 3Pt) and added four boards and one assist in 20 minutes during Saturday's 117-94 loss to the Raptors.

Though he has typically served as the Hawks' third-string center behind Onyeka Okongwu and Clint Capela this season, Nance entered the starting five at power forward Saturday while making his return from a 12-game absence due to right hand surgery. While filling in for the injured Jalen Johnson (shoulder), Nance struggled to get much going behind the arc, prompting the Hawks to lean more heavily on Garrison Mathews (25 minutes) and Vit Krejci (35 minutes) rather than handing Nance significant playing time. Johnson is out indefinitely, but the potential return of De'Andre Hunter (illness) -- who sat out Saturday -- in the Hawks' next game Monday in Minnesota could put Nance at risk of moving to the bench.