Jalen Johnson's injury & 2 other X-factors as Hawks visit Nuggets

The Atlanta Hawks have done well to navigate their injury issues this season, but they seem to be walking a fine line once again.

On the bright side, the Hawks could be poised to get Dyson Daniels back in the mix, with Locked On Hawks host Brad Rowland reporting the guard is “probable” for tonight’s game along with Trae Young.

Bogdan Bogdanovic is “doubtful,” which is an improvement but still leaves him less than likely.

Jalen Johnson was also added to the report late with a shoulder injury, per Rowland, who also noted the unfortunate timing of the injury.

Hawks could be without Jalen Johnson vs Nuggets

“Denver is a terrible matchup to be without Jalen Johnson,” Rowland posted on X on January 1. “Hawks got blasted without him in the game in Atlanta and they badly need his rebounding and secondary rim protection against Jokic.”

Johnson missed the first matchup with the same injury, playing with a wrap on his shoulder and then appearing on the injury report the day before the game. The Hawks won the only other game Johnson has missed in 2024 (with a leg injury), beating the Sacramento Kings.

That 30-point loss to Denver on December 8 is the widest margin of defeat for the Hawks this season.

Johnson is averaging 19.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists.

He is shooting 50.9% from the floor and over 74% from the free throw line. And while he has not shot the three-ball particularly well at just 33.1%, he is liable to connect at any moment and does so many other things that you live through the lulls.

Johnson has the highest on-off differential on the Hawks, per Cleaning The Glass. Making matters worse, the Hawks are also without Larry Nance Jr. due to a hand injury.

Who plays PF?

Without Johnson or Nance, the Hawks have but so many viable options for replacements at power forward. The immediate answer would seem to be Onyeka Okongwu, who has expanded his range and has seen some time there before.

But without Cody Zeller, who remains away from the team, and Nance out, there are no other backups behind Clint Capela.

The Hawks could insert De’Andre Hunter into the starting lineup at the 4.

He has been so effective off the bench, though, and removing him would undoubtedly adversely affect the second unit. The Hawks could keep him on the bench and bring Vit Krecji or even Garrison Mathew into the starting five.

They could slide rookie No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher to the other forward spot to accommodate such a decision.

The Hawks could also turn to reserve David Roddy, who stuffs the stat sheet when he plays.

Dyson Daniels’ return is critical

Daniels’ potential return to action on Wednesday night is not exactly a surprise. Young suggested there was hope Daniels would rejoin the team in the midst of their six-game road trip following the win over the Toronto Raptors.

Daniels’ on-off differential does not properly reflect just how he positively impacts the Hawks when he is on the floor.

But it is clear to anyone who watches. Getting him big would be big, timely boost.