Joe's back: Hawks guard Joe Johnson returned to the lineup Friday night after a two-game absence, the first action he had missed this season.

New Bobcats owner and basketball legend Michael Jordan took in Friday night's Hawks-Bobcats game at Philips Arena.

Hawks guard Joe Johnson will play Friday night against Charlotte after missing the last two games with tendinitis in his Achilles tendon.

Next for Hawks Who: vs. Bobcats When: 7:30 p.m. Friday TV; radio: SPSO; 790 This is the third of four meetings between the teams.

TORONTO -- Just when it looked as if the Hawks had solved their issues with letting opponents rally late in games, Chris Bosh and the Toronto Raptors reminded them they still have work to do.

When Mike Woodson was asked if he’s concerned about Mike Bibby ’s problems guarding quick point guards, the Hawks coach turned the question around.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Hawks played their first game of the season without All-Star guard Joe Johnson, who stayed behind in Atlanta with a sore Achilles tendon.

Johnson scratched again: Hawks guard Joe Johnson will miss his second straight game with a sore Achilles tendon Wednesday at Toronto.

The Hawks have enjoyed good fortune with injuries this season but will have to do without their best player for at least a game and probably two.

Next for Hawks Who: at Nets When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday TV; radio: FSSO; 790 This is the last of three meetings but the first at New Jersey.

Jamal Crawford did not come to the Hawks with a reputation for his defense. Early in the season, in particular, coach Mike Woodson cited Crawford as a player who needed to learn the Hawks' defensive system and become more attentive at that end of the floor.

The Hawks got off to the right kind of start. Their finish won't win any prizes, but was sufficient.

Entering the game at the start of the second quarter Saturday, Hawks forward Joe Smith played the 999th game of his career.

Look out below. Are you girded for another NCAA Tournament? Then, on its heels, the never ending NBA playoffs?

• When: 7 p.m. Saturday • TV; radio: SPSO; 790 • This is the second of two meetings this season.

If the image of Josh Smith as the immature, petulant player who couldn’t accept coaching or criticism endures, then his recent evolution might come as a shock.

The connection between Josh Smith and Rajaan Bennett was through McEachern High School, where both had been students and star athletes, and the two also met briefly last summer.

Al Horford and the Hawks snapped a 2-game losing streak by beating the Wizards.

D.C. Tour: The Hawks didn’t get to meet President Barack Obama during their visit to the White House on Thursday morning but enjoyed touring the East Wing.

It’s hard to know what to make of the Hawks even as they close in on their first 50-victory season since 1997-98.