The Atlanta Hawks are coming back into health at the right time with the injury report looking so much better than it was at the start of the season. This has a flow-on effect for the rest of the franchise with the Hawks assigning Jalen Johnson back to their G League affiliate the College Park Skyhawks.
Johnson was originally called p to help cover the absence of John Collins, with the potential of really stepping up in his absence. However, during this time Johnson played in only three games and he did not get much game time.
He played just under ten minutes in these games, totaling four points, two rebounds, and a block in this time. While these numbers might translate pretty well per 36, the Skyhawks were short of players and could of used Johnson. Still, the goal is to win an NBA championship, not a G League championship, so it is understandable that they kept him with the varsity squad as insurance.
The Atlanta Hawks assigning Jalen Johnson to the G League is huge.
The Skyhawks have been missing a large number of players over the last few weeks. Skylar Mays has been with the Hawks and they have also been without DaQuan Jeffries, Cat Barber, and Justin Tillman for various periods. The Hawks even called up Sharife Cooper thanks to Trae Young being so banged up.
The backcourt is really starting to show promise with Cooper figuring out how to play off the ball as well as being the primary ball-handler. Tillman has become an integral part of the teams’ ability to win games and is one of two Skyhawks leading the league in a statistical category.
Having the ability to fit Johnson back into this lineup is a huge bonus for the Skyhawks, Johnson can change the type of lineups that the Skyhawks can put out on the court. He can be a small-ball center or a really big two-guard. The matchup problems that he creates make this a very hard team to play when he is in uniform.
On top of that, Johnson takes the pressure off the guards by being able to handle the ball in transition. He can also help take the pressure of the big men by rebounding and protecting the rim. The Atlanta Hawks have done the College Park Skyhawks a massive favor by assigning Jalen Johnson to their ranks.