Horford out for 3-4 months. What now?

Published Jan. 12, 2012 2:34 p.m. ET

foxsports

This Horford news is an absolutely crushing blow to the Hawks. The Hawks announced that two-time All-Star center/power forward is expected to miss three to four months with a shoulder injury.

If there's a player the Hawks couldn't afford to lose, it would probably be Horford. The guy has been playing out of position -- at center -- since his rookie season for a Hawks squad that is thin up front. And, with all due respect to Zaza Pachulia and Jason Collins, Horford's replacements don't rank too high on the skills chart.

Atlanta will have to get creative and determined to keep this injury from keeping them out of the postseason for the first time in five seasons.

Check back later for Hawks reaction and my own analysis of what the Hawks can/should/will do moving forward.