Help for Bucks could be coming soon

Bucks coach Scott Skiles sounded optimistic Wednesday night, saying in his pre-game remarks that guards Brandon Jennings and John Salmons could be returning soon.

Neither player will be available as the Bucks host the Atlanta Hawks. But Salmons is making progress with his right hip strain. And Jennings went 1-on-1 during Wednesday's shootaround and could go 2-on-2 or 3-on-3 at Thursday's practice, Skiles said.

Forward Drew Gooden remains out with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

Jennings has been out since undergoing surgery for a broken bone in his left foot on Dec. 20.

"Each time he turns it up, we just have to wait and see how he reacts," Skiles said. "It's not impossible that he could play on Saturday night a little bit, and if not, without a setback, almost assuredly some time on the trip."

"It wouldn't be unusual that he could have a little bit of soreness and still be fine," Skiles said. "We want to make sure he's 100% and go from there."

Skiles also said Salmons might be available to play this weekend. The veteran guard is missing his fifth consecutive game Wednesday due to the hip injury.

Veterans Keyon Dooling and Earl Boykins have shared duties at the point guard position since Jennings went out of the lineup.

"I don't want anybody to take this the wrong way, but these aren't the roles they signed up for, to come to our team," Skiles said.

"Not that they haven't done a capable job or anything. These are big roles right now. We're trying to hang in. In fairness to them, it's not always the situation they should be in. Brandon is the 35-minute-a-game player. That's what he's supposed to be doing.

"Right now they're just thrust into those roles. Some of it has to do with that and some of it is they're probably playing too much."

Skiles said guard Garrett Temple, signed to a 10-day contract on Tuesday, might play against the Hawks.