Injured Hawks guard Schroder says he ‘probably’ will return to lineup Friday

Hawks guard Dennis Schroder said he “probably” will play Friday’s home opener against the Nuggets after suffering a sprained left ankle during the loss at Brooklyn on Sunday.

Schroder was inactive for Monday’s game against the Heat. With the Hawks playing back-to-back games on Thursday and Friday, Schroder said he would likely skip the game in Chicago on Thursday.

“I don’t want to rush it,” Schroder said.

Schroder suffered the injury when he stepped on Brooklyn defender Curtis LeVert's foot while driving to the basket and rolled the ankle. The Hawks said a MRI of the injury performed Monday showed a sprain.

By Monday the swelling of the injured foot had subsided enough that Schroder was walking while wearing shoes. He said he initially feared the injury might be worse than a sprain.

“I got lucky,” he said.

The Hawks were also without starting forward Ersan Ilyasova (knee) for the Heat game. Coach Mike Budenholzer said it was too soon to say how long Ilyasova and Schroder would be out.