Hawks Rookie Jenkins Makes Case For Playoffs Role

ATLANTA (AP) – John Jenkins didn’t like having to sit out four games with a concussion.

The experience helped motivate the rookie guard to make sure he has the chance to do more than just watch in the playoffs.

Jenkins has posted his only two 20-point games since his return. He scored a career-high 23 points at San Antonio on Saturday and had 21 in Wednesday night’s win at Philadelphia. Atlanta’s last rookie with two straight 20-point games was Josh Childress in 2005.

Another rookie, forward Mike Scott, has set scoring and rebounding highs the last two games.

The rookies’ late-season surge is well-timed for Atlanta, which needed a lift after losing three straight games. The Hawks are in a tight race with Chicago for the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.