Atlanta ? Atlanta Hawks guard Kirk Hinrich says his ailing right hamstring is finally starting to show some improvement.

Hinrich was hurt in the closing minutes of a series-clinching win over Orlando. Second-year player Jeff Teague has filled in admirably, averaging 16 points a game against the Bulls with only five turnovers. He’s a major reason the Eastern Conference semifinal is tied 2-2 heading into Game 5 tonight at Chicago.

Hinrich says he’s only doing “very simple” exercises but feels his hamstring is getting better. When asked if he could possibly return in this series, he says, “I don’t want to rule anything out.”

But coach Larry Drew doesn’t expect Hinrich to play against Chicago, even if the series goes to a seventh game Sunday.