"When Rip Hamilton was asked whether he'd play Saturday night against the Hawks, he rolled his eyes, making his answer obvious.

"It takes time, man," Hamilton said of his sore groin. "I probably shouldn't have played [against Detroit], but you couldn't keep me off that floor."

Hamilton injured his groin in a Dec. 30 victory over the Clippers and came back too soon to play against his former teammates in Detroit and reaggravated it. It could be several days before Hamilton is ready to return, although coach Tom Thibodeau maintains he's day-to-day."