What is Next for the Hawks After the Jalen Johnson Injury News?
During last night's win over the Washington Wizards, Hawks forward Jalen Johnson injured his left wrist and looked to be in a great deal of pain. He did not come back in the game and after the game last night, Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said "Hopefully, he'll be ok and we'll find out more tonight and tomorrow."
Well, the Hawks got the news today.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Johnson would be out for 4-6 weeks with his left wrist injury.
This is going to be a big loss for Atlanta in the short term, but it is good news that this is not season-ending. If this timeline is correct, Johnson should be back before the All-Star game.
Johnson has been incredible for the Hawks this season. He is averaging 14.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and is shooting 42.3% from three-point range. He has run the floor well in transition as a passer and has been exactly what the Hawks have needed at the position. The Hawks defense is much better with Johnson on the floor and that might be the aspect of his game that the Hawks are going to miss the most.
So what do the Hawks do now that Johnson is out?
Saddiq Bey could start now for the Hawks
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Saddiq Bey is going to be the top candidate to slide into the starting lineup for the Hawks. Bey began the season as the Hawks starter but was replaced by Johnson. Bey is averaging 12.3 PPG and 5.7 RPG while shooting 49.3% from the field and 36.4% from three.
Bey is not a good defender however and the Hawks's already bad defense would likely get worse with him on the floor, but he provides spacing and is a good offensive player and rebounder. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Hawks are +7.7% offensive rebounding percentage with Bey on the floor, which is in the 96th percentile, and +12.9 in points per 100 possessions when Bey is on the floor.
The other option would be to go with a three-guard backcourt of Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Bogdanovic has been one of the best bench players in the NBA and is averaging 15.3 PPG off the bench. Snyder may like bringing him off the bench more. I think it will be Bey in the starting lineup, but Bogdanovic could start.
AJ Griffin might get back in the rotation with Johnson out. Griffin has been in and out of the rotation but still has a lot of upside and will bring shooting to the floor.
Atlanta did get a win over Washington last night and will face the Celtics tonight in Boston.
Viewing and Betting Information
Tip-off time: 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA
Where to Watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Southeast
Spread and Over/Under: The Hawks are currently underdogs tonight, as they are 7.5-point underdogs according to the latest odds from the SI Sportsbook and the over/under is set at 236.5.
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