Hawks’ Johnson To Miss All-Star Game

ATLANTA (AP) – Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson will miss the All-Star game because of tendinitis in his left knee.

The team says an MRI confirmed the initial diagnosis. Johnson will sit out the Hawks’ next two games: at New York on Wednesday night and a Thursday night contest at home against Orlando. He’ll also skip the All-Star Game in Orlando and all related activities this weekend, giving his knee additional time to rest.

NBA Commissioner David Stern will select Johnson’s All-Star replacement and Atlanta’s Josh Smith is one of several candidates.

Johnson leads the Hawks in scoring at 17.6 points a game and was named to the All-Star team for the sixth year in a row.

After the break, he’ll be re-evaluated before Atlanta’s next game against Golden State on Feb. 29.