Hawks' DeMarre Carroll starts in Game 2 vs. Cavaliers despite knee sprain

The heart and soul of the Atlanta Hawks will tough it out on Friday.

DeMarre Carroll will play in Game 2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers despite dealing with a sprained knee, the team announced.

Carroll sustained what looked to be a gruesome injury late in the fourth quarter of Game 1. Carroll's left leg buckled on a drive to the basket and he had to be helped off the court.

However, an MRI conducted on Carroll's knee found no structural damage and the Hawks swingman was able to participate in their morning practice.

Carroll has been the Hawks' steadiest player throughout the postseason. He leads the Hawks in scoring at 16.2 points per game while shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from deep.

Carroll is also the Hawks' only defender capable of slowing LeBron James. James has repeatedly torched the Hawks' other options - including Paul Millsap and Kent Bazemore - this season.