The Atlanta Hawks have had to adjust to life without Jalen Johnson, who is out for the season with a torn shoulder labrum that required surgery, and others. In his stead, second-year big man Mouhamed Gueye has drawn starts.
Gueye has played over veteran Georges Niang during that stretch, in which the Hawks have gone 2-5.
However, Gueye has operated as a starter in name only, and that is a good thing.
Gueye has averaged 6.1 points on 47.7% true shooting with 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and just a hair under 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game in that stretch. His best game since Johnson went down has come as a reserve.
Gueye had 15 points, 12 boards, 4 blocks, and 2 steals in a win at home against the Milwaukee Bucks.
He has had one game with double-digit points in Johnson’s absence.
The No. 39 overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, the Hawks acquired Gueye from the Charlotte Hornets via the Boston Celtics on draft night. While his production may be underwhelming for a starter, it is encouraging for his future as a reserved behind a healthy Johnson.
First five go to Mo! pic.twitter.com/nV5faslJqz
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 25, 2025
Hawks preserve bench with Mouhamed Gueye starting at PF
Starting Gueye also allows the Hawks to keep Niang in a reserve role. Niang is the Hawks’ second-leading scorer since the trade deadline at 15.2 PPG on 64.0% true shooting.
He has scored 20-plus points twice and 10-plus points four times in six games as a Hawk.
Niang is fourth on the Hawks in minutes per game since the trade deadline, joining fellow wing Caris LeVert in replacing young teammates Gueye and Zaccharie Risacher – the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft – in closing lineups until recently.
Most importantly for the Hawks, Niang is shooting 46.7% from downtown. The Hawks have been a poor three-point shooting this season, which seems antithetical for many reasons.
New addition Terance Mann is shooting 54.5% on his long-distance looks.
LeVert, however, started hot, going 6-for-15 from outside over his first three games with the Hawks. But he has hit just two of his last eight attempts. He is still averaging 13.7 PPG, the third-most on the team since he arrived.
Mann and Niang are both under contract for next season. LeVert could play his way into a new deal, especially since he was a key part of the Hawks’ return for trading De’Andre Hunter.
But Gueye, 22, can be part of the Hawks’ long-term planning.
From the looks of it, he should, which is great news considering all the uncertainty around the roster that must be addressed this coming offseason. It took an unfortunate circumstance for it to happen, but Gueye is coming along nicely after his own injury-marred rookie season.
He must continue to bulk up, but Gueye also projects as an intriguing backup center candidate with his ability to step outside and knock down open shots.
That could be significant behind Onyeka Okongwu with Clint Capela a free agent this summer.