"Hawks coach Larry Drew said he considers what he called a "father-son" spat with forward Josh Smith to be settled after Smith apologized to the team following the Hawks' victory over Philadelphia on Friday.
Smith was upset after Drew benched him in the fourth quarter for two ill-timed jump shots. Smith gestured and yelled at Drew as he came off the court, stayed away from team huddles and continued to complain on the bench as teammates tried to calm him.
Drew, who replaced Smith with Zaza Pachulia, said he didn't see Smith's reactions.
"First thing he did after the game, I came in to address the team and he said, 'Hey, coach, I just want to apologize to everyone for how I handled the situation,'" Drew said. "He didn't have to do that, but he did. I think he knows in his heart he didn't handle that the right way, especially if I am looking at him being one of my captains."
Smith eventually reengaged with his teammates as the Hawks rallied. Drew put him back in the game for the final 20 seconds.
"Obviously I wanted to be in the game," he said. "I knew that my offensive game wasn't clicking. I've got to thank Zaza for stepping in there."
Drew said he wouldn't fine Smith or otherwise discipline him for the incident."