The Atlanta Hawks have not had Jalen Johnson in the lineup since January 23. In what was a second consecutive breakout season, Johnson suffered a torn labrum, cutting his campaign short after 36 games, the second-fewest of his career.
Johnson emerged as the Hawks’ second-best player this season before going down.
His return in 2025 will lift what returns of a group that is 13-15 since the injury, but are 7-3 in their last 10 games entering play on March 27. The Hawks need something from him, though.
ESPN’s Chris Herring released his list of projected breakout star hits and misses, listing Johnson under the latter category. However, Johnson’s label was not due to his production with season averages of 18.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game.
“Availability has been an ongoing concern for Johnson, however, with each of his past two seasons ending early because of significant injuries (in 2023-24, it was his ankle and he played in only 56 games),” Herring wrote on March 26. “I’m unsure if this truly counts as a miss, but the pattern of health issues for the 23-year-old has impeded a true star leap.
“Johnson had success in the do-it-all role the Hawks envisioned for him -- now they need him to do it for closer to 82 games.”
Johnson's career highs are 70 (2022-23) appearances and 52 starts (2023-24).
Jalen Johnson’s troubling injury history offers encouraging sign
The most ominous part about both of the significant injuries that Herring noted is that Johnson missed time in both seasons for other reasons, including hamstring and groin issues.
There is no denying Johnson’s talent, which is at an All-Star level. His multi-faceted game encompasses both sides of the floor, allowing the Hawks’ offense to flow when Trae Young does not have the ball or sits.
Defensively, Johnson was a key cog.
The Hawks’ defensive rating, 113.3 before Johnson’s injury, has worsened to 116.5 without him. He also has the second-best on-off differential on the Hawks, per Cleaning The Glass.
The good thing about it is that Johnson has already shown the right mindset about staying on the floor as much as possible. After his ankle injury, Johnson said he would change his footwear and did.
The Hawks are battling for their postseason lives.
That fight would be easier with Johnson in the fold. However, his absence has allowed the Hawks to better gauge what else they have around Young and what more they need.
Johnson signed a five-year, $150 million contract before the 2024-25 season. This is not the way anyone wanted it to end. But if this past season was any indication, Johnson could return to the court in 2025-26 even better than he was this year.