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Hawks' Mike Budenholzer: Horford not 100 percent after torn pectoral

Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford is not fully recovered from a torn pectoral muscle suffered during a game last December, coach Mike Budenholzer told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
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Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford is not yet fully recovered from a torn pectoral muscle sustained during a game last December, coach Mike Budenholzer told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Horford will be limited at the start of training camp but is expected to be ready for the team's Oct. 29 season opener against the Toronto Raptors.

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Q. How is Al Horford?

A. 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.

Q. Is he cleared for contact?

A. He’ll be held out of contact early in training camp. He’ll progress through and get to where he’s got full clearance in everything but at the start of camp there will be some limitations.

Horford, 28, averaged 18.6 points and 8.4 rebounds in 29 games last season. The two-time All-Star has posted averages of 14.0 points and 9.5 rebounds over seven seasons with Atlanta since being selected in the first round of the 2007 draft.

Last season the Hawks were 15-13 entering the game in which Horford injured himself. The team finished 38-44 but still earned the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Chris Johnson