(My Sportsbook) - The Atlanta Hawks may have to ask the NBA for an extension of the injured list. Obviously, this is not possible, but the Hawks' injuries are mounting.

Ira Newble missed Wednesday's game against Portland and expected to miss the next three or four games with inflammation in his left knee and a strained hamstring.

Newble has started 36 of Atlanta's 40 games and is averaging 7.8 points and 4.1 rebounds.

"It's a mixture of both," Newble told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution of his dual ailments. "I had been playing through it, but they decided to sit me out."

The knee has been a problem for Newble for a while now, but it was compounded when he strained a hamstring in the same leg. Newble had the knee drained after Monday's 115-102 loss to Chicago and didn't practice Tuesday.

Dion Glover started his second game of the season in Newble's stead. Glover had played a total of five minutes the previous four games. Against Portland, Glover logged 52 minutes and scored 21 points.

With the lineup so injury-depleted, new coach Terry Stotts had to enlist some help from the NBDL. The Hawks signed guard Corey Benjamin to a 10-day contract. The 6-foot-6 Benjamin, a former first-round pick of the Chicago Bulls, was playing with the North Charleston Lowgators and was the league's second-leading scorer.

In 26 games with the Lowgators, Benjamin averaged 18 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and shot 43.5 percent from 3-point range.

"I know what I can provide the team, and that's a step of energy," Benjamin told the newspaper. "If this team needs energy, then I can bring it."

The Toronto Raptors have received a huge shot in the arm from d-leauger Rafer Alston, and the Hawks are hoping for similar results.

KINGS COMING TO TOWN

The Hawks have a six-game losing streak in tow on Friday when they welcome the Sacramento Kings to Philips Arena.

The Hawks are 0-3 so far on their four-game homestand. Overall, Atlanta is 12-11 at home this season and 6-10 against the Western Conference.

Sacramento, meanwhile, has won three straight games overall and four straight over the Hawks. The Kings, however, have dropped 12 of their last 13 at Atlanta.