Joe Johnson: Deron Williams affected by tendinitis

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Brooklyn Nets swingman Joe Johnson said Sunday that point guard Deron Williams is suffering from a severe case of tendinitis.

"At different times in the season we all have knickknack or injuries. I know tendinitis has pretty much been my kryptonite, and I know he has a severe case of that," Johnson said. "It's tough, man. It's tough. But we all have his back, and whatever we have to do, we have to do it."

The team would not confirm Johnson's comment, citing that Williams was healthy enough to play.

It is unknown where Williams' injury is located, though he has been wearing a brace on his right knee while playing in games and is often seen icing both knees in the locker room afterward.

Williams injured his tailbone taking a charge on Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague in the second quarter of Game 3 Saturday and later hurt his right leg while trying to get over a screen in the third.

Williams limped to the bench and was replaced by reserve Jarrett Jack with four minutes left in the third. He did not play the final 16 minutes of the game. Jack played well, and the Nets claimed a 91-83 victory to pull within 2-1 of the Hawks in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.

"He's banged up pretty good," Nets coach Lionel Hollins said.

Asked if Williams would play in Game 4 on Monday, Hollins replied: "I hope so. We'll see. That's a painful injury."

Williams has struggled in the series, going 2-for-15 from the field and scoring five points in the past two games combined. For the series, he is averaging 6.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 26.9 percent from the field.

He shot a career-worst 38.7 percent from the field during the regular season and had trouble finishing, hitting just 44.5 percent of his layup attempts.

Williams has not dunked in 2014-15.