Atlanta Hawks Face Setback with Jalen Johnsons Season-Ending Injury
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In a challenging 2024-25 season, the Atlanta Hawks encountered a significant setback on Wednesday. NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that forward Jalen Johnson, a promising talent for the Hawks, will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn labrum in his left shoulder. ESPN's Shams Charania later confirmed that Johnson will be undergoing surgery to address the injury.
Jalen Johnson was enjoying a breakout season, averaging career highs with 18.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. The 2021 20th overall draft pick had shown remarkable potential, and had he remained healthy, he likely would have been a candidate for his first career All-Star selection. Prior to this injury, Johnson had briefly missed time due to shoulder inflammation but returned on January 18, only to suffer a new setback during a game against the Toronto Raptors on January 23.
The Hawks currently find themselves in a difficult position, having dropped six consecutive games and ranking ninth in the Eastern Conference with a 22-25 record. Trae Young, the team's star point guard, has been a pivotal player, leading the Hawks with 22.7 points and 11.4 assists per game. Young will need to shoulder an even greater burden moving forward without Johnson. Rookie Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, is expected to have an expanded role, although he is still acclimating to the NBA with an average of just 10.5 points. Additionally, swingman De'Andre Hunter, who is the team's second-leading scorer with 19.1 points per game, is poised to step up as the primary scoring option behind Young. The Hawks will aim to break their losing streak when they face the Cleveland Cavaliers, who hold a strong 37-9 record, on Thursday.
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