The Atlanta Hawks have suffered a major blow as Jalen Johnson will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn labrum in his left shoulder. NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that the 23-year-old forward’s injury will sideline him for the rest of the 2024-25 campaign.
Johnson was enjoying a breakout season, averaging career highs of 18.9 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in 35.7 minutes per game. His emergence had provided a significant boost for Atlanta, which is battling for a postseason spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Hawks, currently 9th in the East with a 22-25 record, will now have to adjust their rotation without one of their most versatile players. Johnson’s two-way impact and ability to guard multiple positions made him a key piece for Atlanta’s playoff push.
With Johnson sidelined, the Hawks may need to lean more on Saddiq Bey and De’Andre Hunter to fill the void at forward. Onyeka Okongwu and Clint Capela could also see increased roles in the frontcourt as Atlanta looks to stay competitive.
The injury comes at a difficult time for the Hawks, who are just a few games ahead of the teams chasing them in the play-in standings. Losing Johnson’s scoring, rebounding, and playmaking will put additional pressure on Trae Young and Dejounte Murray to carry the offense.
Atlanta’s front office could explore the trade market for reinforcements ahead of the deadline. The team was already rumored to be active in trade discussions, and Johnson’s absence might accelerate those efforts.
Despite the setback, Johnson’s long-term outlook remains promising. The fourth-year forward had been one of the league’s most improved players, solidifying himself as a core piece for the Hawks’ future.
Atlanta will now have to push forward without him as they fight to keep their playoff hopes alive. With 35 games remaining in the season, the Hawks must quickly adapt to life without one of their rising stars.
