-
‣ Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson suffered a sprained right ankle during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers and will be re-evaluated in a week. This is the second time he has sustained a right ankle sprain recently, having missed three games last week due to the same injury.
‣ Hawks coach Quin Snyder expressed regret over Johnson’s injury, indicating he had planned to substitute Johnson out of the game shortly before the injury occurred. Johnson had been performing well since his return, averaging 23 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists over three games.
‣ Jalen Johnson has been achieving career highs this season, with averages of 16.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and a player efficiency rating of 16.1. He also scored a career-high 28 points in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Jalen Johnson appeared to injure his ankle on this play.
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally)
Details
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson’s luck seems to have taken a nosedive. He sprained his right ankle during Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The final score? A disheartening 136-105 loss for the Hawks. The team made an announcement on Thursday, stating Johnson will be re-evaluated by medical personnel in a week.
The third-year wing had a bit of a rough landing with 6:47 left in the fourth quarter. It’s like déjà vu all over again for Johnson, who had just bounced back from a right ankle sprain two games ago. Miraculously, he managed to hobble off the court under his own steam.
There’s this tweet that caught the moment. Jalen Johnson seemed to have tweaked his ankle in that play. Bally Sports: Hawks shared the clip, and it’s been making rounds since March 19, 2024.
Now, here’s where it gets a bit more personal. Hawks coach Quin Snyder is shouldering the blame for Johnson’s mishap. He had a substitution waiting at the table for Johnson right at the seven-minute mark. But fate had other plans. Snyder expressed his hope for Johnson’s swift recovery in a candid chat with Brad Rowland on the “Locked On Hawks” podcast.
Johnson’s dance with the same injury had him sidelined for three straight games last week. Yet, in the three games since his return, he’s been nothing short of impressive. Averaging 23 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, all while shooting 42% from the floor. Not too shabby, huh?
Oh, and let’s not forget his standout performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Jalen Johnson scored a career-high 28 points in that game. It was a spectacle.
Through 51 games this season, including 48 starts, Johnson’s been on fire. He’s clocking career highs across the board – 16.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, you name it. His shooting accuracy? A solid 51.3% from the field. And his performance from the 3-point range and at the free-throw line are the best they’ve ever been.
In that thrilling 141-138 victory over the Thunder on Jan. 3, Johnson was a force to be reckoned with. Scoring 28 points, grabbing seven boards, dishing out three assists, and nabbing four steals in just 28 minutes. Talk about making every second count.
Injury updates are rolling in. Johnson will be back for a check-up in a week. Meanwhile, Kobe Bufkin and AJ Griffin are also on the mend, with re-evaluations slated in 7-10 days. It’s like a waiting game, but with higher stakes.
Adding to the Hawks’ woes, All-Star guard Trae Young has been out for his 12th consecutive game following finger surgery in February. And it doesn’t stop there. AJ Griffin (ankle) and Kobe Bufkin (toe) are also on the indefinite injury list.
Despite the setbacks, the Hawks are still in the playoff conversation, according to several NBA betting sites. They’re currently holding the eighth-shortest odds in the Eastern Conference. However, the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls are showing stronger odds.
Next up, the Hawks are set to face the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. It’s anyone’s guess how that’ll turn out. But one thing’s for sure – it’s never a dull moment with the Hawks.
