In a concerning development for the Atlanta Hawks, the team announced Saturday that star forward Jalen Johnson will remain sidelined indefinitely as he undergoes further medical evaluation and testing on his injured left shoulder. The 22-year-old rising star, who was already ruled out for Saturday’s home game against the Toronto Raptors, faces an uncertain timeline for his return to action.
Injury Occurred in Loss to Raptors
Johnson sustained the shoulder injury during the second quarter of the Hawks’ 122-110 road loss to the Raptors on Thursday night. The injury occurred as Johnson attempted to block a layup by Toronto’s Scottie Barnes. While the severity was not immediately clear, the Hawks’ medical staff is now taking a cautious approach.
“(Johnson) will be listed as out as he undergoes further medical testing and evaluation,” the Hawks said in a statement Saturday afternoon. “His injury and status will be updated as appropriate.”
– Atlanta Hawks official statement
Concern Grows Over Injury History
This is not the first time this season Johnson has dealt with a shoulder issue. He previously missed five games in November with a problem in his right shoulder before returning to action on Jan. 18. The fact that he is now dealing with an injury to his other shoulder is particularly worrisome for the Hawks.
Johnson’s Emergence as a Star
Johnson, the 20th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Duke, has blossomed into a cornerstone player for Atlanta in his fourth pro season. He currently leads the Hawks in rebounding with 10.0 per game and ranks second on the team in scoring (18.9), assists (5.0), and minutes played (35.7). All four of those averages are career highs for the versatile forward.
- 11.0 points per game for his career
- 6.3 rebounds per game for his career
- 2.6 assists per game for his career
- 23.6 minutes per game for his career
Huge Hole to Fill for Hawks
With Johnson now out indefinitely, the Hawks have a massive void to fill in their lineup. His ability to score, rebound, facilitate and defend at a high level has made him indispensable to Atlanta’s success. It will likely take a collective effort from the rest of the roster to try to replace his diverse contributions.
Uncertain Timeline for Return
As Johnson begins the process of undergoing additional medical tests, the Hawks did not provide any specific timeline for when he might be able to return. Shoulder injuries can be tricky and the Hawks are wisely taking a cautious approach with their young star. Still, his absence for any significant period would be a huge blow for an Atlanta team looking to make a playoff push.
The loss of Jalen Johnson for an undetermined period of time is a crushing development for the Hawks. His emergence into a two-way force has been the story of their season. Now, the team faces a far more uncertain path forward without its rising star.
– Anonymous NBA executive
As more details emerge about the severity of Johnson’s shoulder injury and a potential timeline for his return, the Hawks will attempt to weather the storm without their most important young cornerstone. The 22-year-old’s troubling injury history now puts his availability and Atlanta’s aspirations into serious question.
