It’s been a season in which they’ve been performing above expectations. However, the Atlanta Hawks’ hope of reaching the 2025 NBA Playoffs took a major hit on Wednesday, as Jalen Johnson “will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a shoulder injury,” per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Fellow NBA insider Chris Haynes clarifies that the emerging star “suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder.”
Hawks’ Jalen Johnson Ruled Out For Remainder Of Season
Johnson sustained the injury on Jan. 23 when his Hawks faced the Toronto Raptors. In the second quarter, he could be seen grimacing in pain on the sidelines, holding his shoulder. He immediately went to the locker room thereafter.
Jalen Johnson got that Vegas Call! #jalenjohnson #vegascall pic.twitter.com/lXIUhKeJsY
— Dj Legato (@DjLegato) January 24, 2025
This season, the fourth-year forward has averaged 18.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 block per game. Despite his high usage, he was also efficient, shooting 50.0 percent from the field. This was particularly true inside the arc, where he made 56.6 percent of his attempts.
As the Hawks’ secondary playmaker, he helped their offense establish a more egalitarian identity. Their offense has long been formidable, largely due to face of the franchise Trae Young. With Johnson and Young spraying the ball around though, more of Atlanta’s players are getting an opportunity to shine. As a result, it’s not only Johnson who’s been having a career season but Dyson Daniels and De’Andre Hunter. Onyeka Okongwu and Vit Krejci are averaging career-highs in points and field goal attempts.
Who Steps Up?
Because he’s such a versatile player, it’ll be hard to replace Johnson. His game has been compared to the likes of Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James. It’s also remarkably similar to that of Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Obviously, the Hawks don’t have either James or Antetokounmpo on the roster.
Without Johnson available, Larry Nance Jr. is their most versatile big man. Like Johnson, he offers a lot in terms of passing ability and basketball IQ. He might not have as many poster dunks as Johnson, but he’s also a fluid athlete with a penchant for finishing above the rim. With that being said, he isn’t a particularly aggressive or impressive scorer, averaging a career-high 10.1 points per game in 2020-21.
Since Johnson’s been sidelined, second-year big man Mouhamed Gueye has been given a chance to start though. When the Hawks played the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, he was able to tally 11 points, seven rebounds, and one block in 22 minutes. Like Johnson, he’s dynamic at his position given his ability to stretch the floor, score above the rim, protect the rim, and playmake. However, he’s a more raw product than Johnson.
