Now he knows that won’t be possible, at least not in the opening round.

The All-Star center said Wednesday he’s definitely out for the best-of-seven series against Boston, which begins this weekend. The Hawks will get home-court if they win their regular-season finale against Dallas, or if the Celtics lose their last game to Milwaukee.

“You obviously want to be there for your team and try to help them,” Horford said after taking some shots on his own at the Philips Arena practice court. “But I realized I’m not nearly where I need to be or want to be to give the team anything.”

Horford, one of Atlanta’s key players along with Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, has missed most of the season recovering from surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle. The team has persevered without him, going into its final game clinging to the fourth-best record in the East.

All along, though, the Hawks held out hope that Horford might be healthy enough to give the team a boost in the playoffs. He was especially eager to return after his replacement, Zaza Pachulia, went down a couple of weeks ago with a sprained left foot, casting doubt on whether he’ll be able to go in the playoffs. Third-stringer Jason Collins has been filling in as the starting center, though he’s rarely on the court at crucial points in the game.

After practicing four-on-four Monday, Horford was optimistic about returning to face the Celtics. But, when he woke up sore and weak the next day, he was forced to concede that his left arm just isn’t strong enough to endure the wear-and-tear of a grueling playoff series.

“We kind of decided it’s best for me to take some time off, keep working and just see how I progress,” Horford said. “It’s frustrating for me. I want to play. I want to get out there with the guys. I know what it’s all about. This is the time of year you play for. By my body is just not responding with me. I can’t do it.”

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Al Horford’s Road to Recovery from marcus kluttz on Vimeo.

In his fifth year with the Hawks, Horford, a two-time NBA All-Star, will receive the award at the Atlanta Sports Awards banquet on Monday at the Fox Theatre.

The award is given annually to a person who has made a positive impact in sports and their community. Horford has twice received the NBA Community Assist Award, as well as the Jason Collier Memorial Trophy from his team, for his work helping others. Those activities include feeding the homeless at City of Refuge, the NBA Cares Day of Service in 2011, his work with the University of Florida Alumni’s philanthropic efforts, assisting earthquake relief efforts in Japan, hosting summer basketball camps and visiting children and their families at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. He has judged essay contests to assist the NBA’s Read to Achieve program and worked with anti-bullying campaigns.

Playing for the Atlanta Hawks is an honor and has afforded me the opportunity to make an impact on organizations and causes in the Atlanta community that I am extremely passionate about,” Horford said in a statement. “I am committed to these efforts and the individuals that they serve, and I thank the Atlanta Sports Council for recognizing my involvement and dedication.”

Person of the year is just one of several awards the Atlanta Sports Council will bestow on Monday. Other categories include: Coach of the Year, College Athlete of the Year, Female and Male High School Scholar Athletes of the Year, High School Athlete of the Year, Professional Athlete of the Year, and Team of the Year.

“Al Horford is an example of true dedication to the community,” Dan Corso, Atlanta Sports Council executive director, said in a statement. “He has taken his achievements in the NBA and with the Atlanta Hawks and used them as a platform for community and charity work. It is an honor to present him with this prestigious award.”

A lopsided home loss to Miami on Sunday served as a reminder of how much the Hawks miss Horford, a former Grand Ledge star. Without Horford, who is recovering from a torn left pectoral muscle, and backup center Jason Collins, who has missed 10 days with a sprained left elbow, the Hawks were overwhelmed by Miami, 107-87.

The loss followed back-to-back wins over Indiana and Orlando that have helped keep the Hawks fourth in the Eastern Conference.

General manager Rick Sund said Monday the Hawks, who play at the Lakers tonight, have surprised some by not collapsing after Horford’s injury on Jan. 11.

“I think they’ve done a good, solid job,” Sund said. “A lot of people felt we didn’t have a chance losing a two-time All-star in Al.”

The Hawks (18-10) are 11-6 since Horford tore his left pectoral muscle. Some observers were not impressed when the Hawks won their first four games after Horford’s injury against Charlotte, Minnesota, Toronto and Portland.

Since then, the Hawks have taken some more impressive wins, including at New Orleans, at Orlando and against Indiana.

Atlanta hasn’t enjoyed consistent strong play. The Hawks lost three straight at home to Memphis, Philadelphia and Phoenix before the back-to-back wins over Indiana and Orlando.

With Horford’s left arm still in a sling, the Hawks couldn’t keep up with the Heat, especially near the basket. Miami outscored Atlanta 44-28 in the paint and outrebounded the Hawks 52-38.

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The procedure was performed Tuesday by Dr. Xavier Duralde of Peachtree Orthopaedic Clinic. He was assisted by Hawks team physicians Michael Bernot and Ashok Reddy.

Horford sustained the injury going for a rebound in a Jan. 11 game at Indiana. He is expected to be out from three-to-four months.

The Hawks have won three straight since Horford went down. Atlanta hosts Portland on Wednesday.

While the players had a great time touring the island and meeting the military personnel, they also played in a couple of fantastic basketball games. If you missed the action, you can watch replays of the games below.

Game 1:

Game 2:

Averaging career highs in points (15.3), field goal percentage (.557) and free throw percentage (.789) while also posting 9.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in 2010-11, he was named a NBA All-Star for the second-straight season just months after Atlanta locked him up long-term with an impressive five-year, $60 million contract extension in November.

OGGOA caught up with the two-time National Champion, two-time NCAA Finals Most Valuable Player and member of the 2008 NBA All-Rookie Team while he was in Lexington, KY practicing with the Dominican Republic National Team. Horford, who is working out in facilities usually occupied by the Kentucky Wildcats due to his team being led by Kentucky head coach John Calipari, has found himself learning a new system in enemy territory. He spoke with us just after completing practice about a variety of topics including his new contract, reminiscing with the Oh Fours, representing his country and performing some Gator Chomps in the near future.

ADAM SILVERSTEIN: Last time we spoke was a year and a half ago just before you played in your first All-Star game. You went back and posted some career highs this season. To what do you attribute your continued improvement?
AL HORFORD: “There’s really no secret behind that, it’s all about putting in the time in the summer. I always try to focus on something different in the offseason that I want to work on and improve. This past summer I got a chance to work with [veteran skills trainer] Rob McClanaghan, a great basketball trainer who works with a lot of other guys in the league including Derrick Rose. He helped me a lot with my game, but I think at the end of the day it is just all about taking the time and making a commitment to work and keep getting better in the offseason.”

AS: Is there any type of competition between you and Jo[akim Noah]? Obviously you were came out of the same school and were picked high in the 2007 NBA Draft, but you’re also playing the same position and competing in the Eastern Conference, too.
AH: “Nah, not really. Me and Joakim, when we talk, we rarely talk basketball. I’m sure he wants to do good and great for his team, and I do the same, but I think at the end of the day we’re not caught up on so much individual stuff. For us, it’s more about our teams and winning and stuff like that. Obviously he has the upper hand on me because of their team because of the playoffs. I know he was happy about that. We’re not competing individually, it’s [more like] how much we impact our individual teams.”

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