Billups out, Smith in for Knicks-Hawks matchup

By foxsports
Published

New York guard Chauncey Billups missed his third straight game, while forward Josh Smith returned for the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night.

Smith, Atlanta's second-leading scorer, was out the last two games with a sprained right knee. Hawks coach Larry Drew said the team decided Smith would start after practice Saturday.

Toney Douglas again started in place of Billups, who was injured after scoring 30 points in a loss at Orlando on Tuesday.

Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni had hoped Billups could start. The decision was made before tipoff to keep Billups inactive.

Billups, reserve center Ronny Turiaf and backup swingman Bill Walker (sore left knee) will be able to play Monday night when Utah visits Madison Square Garden, D'Antoni said. Turiaf missed his second straight game with a sore left knee.