"Bucks coach Scott Skiles sounded optimistic Wednesday night, saying in his pre-game remarks that guards Brandon Jennings and John Salmons could be returning soon.

Neither player will be available as the Bucks host the Atlanta Hawks. But Salmons is making progress with his right hip strain. And Jennings went 1-on-1 during Wednesday's shootaround and could go 2-on-2 or 3-on-3 at Thursday's practice, Skiles said.

Forward Drew Gooden remains out with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

The Hawks will get two key players back as Al Horford returns to the starting lineup after missing two games with a sprained ankle and Marvin Williams returns after being out 11 games with a back contusion.

Jennings has been out since undergoing surgery for a broken bone in his left foot on Dec. 20.

"Each time he turns it up, we just have to wait and see how he reacts," Skiles said. "It's not impossible that he could play on Saturday night a little bit, and if not, without a setback, almost assuredly some time on the trip."

The Bucks open a three-game western swing on Monday night against the Clippers in Los Angeles.

Milwaukee plays at Toronto on Friday night and returns home to play New Jersey on Saturday night."