The Atlanta Hawks need all hands on deck for what figures to be an emotionally charged matchup between two teams against the Milwaukee Bucks, who are also jockeying for position in the season-long standings.
They would be playing to avoid the Play-In Tournament if this were the end of the season.
It is fair to wonder, then, how serious Jalen Johnson’s sprained ankle is. He was listed as questionable on the injury report against the Bucks.
Jalen Johnson pops up on injury report
An @emoryhealthcare injury report for tomorrow’s game at Milwaukee in Las Vegas, NV:
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 14, 2024
Bogdan Bogdanovic (left quad contusion): Probable
De’Andre Hunter (right knee injury management): Probable
Trae Young (right Achilles tendinitis): Probable
Jalen Johnson (right ankle sprain):… pic.twitter.com/AVdFKLNdmT
That is a notable shift for Johnson, who has missed two games this season. Most recently, he missed the loss to the Denver Nuggets with a shoulder issue. But Johnson was a surprise inactive against the Kings in November with “left lateral lower leg inflammation.”
Johnson had 21 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals in the Hawks’ win over the New York Knicks on December 12.
He also boasts the best on-off differential on the team, per Cleaning The Glass.
Not having him would be a significant blow. But, given the stakes and Johnson’s demeanor during his media session for the matchup, he seems like a good bet to suit up and play versus the Bucks.
Giant-slaying Hawks overlooked entering Emirates NBA Cup Semifinal vs. Bucks
The Hawks enter their Emirates NBA Cup Semifinals matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks as underdogs, per FanDuel.
They should not be.
On name value alone, the Bucks would seem to be easy choices for favorites. They have one of the five best players on the planet in Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has scored fewer than 30 points just once in the past nine games.
The Bucks have a championship pedigree on the court with Antetokounmpo and several of his teammates and on the sidelines with head coach Doc Rivers.
They have a better record than the Hawks too. Still, they are being overlooked.
In Vegas with one goal in mind ⏳ pic.twitter.com/YakKc1j0xn
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 14, 2024
The Hawks are one loss worse than the Bucks, and they have one more win. The Hawks took their first head-to-head matchup this season, just 10 days ago in Milwaukee. Saturday’s game is not in Atlanta at State Farm Arena, where the Hawks have typically been better, either.
Instead, the game is at a neutral site in Las Vegas. But that too favors the Hawks, with their 7-6 road record compared to the Bucks’ 4-7 mark when away from Fiserv Forum.
Finally, the Hawks have slain the giants of the East all season.
They have quality wins over the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks all within roughly one month. The Hawks are 11-6 against teams with records at or above .500 whereas the Bucks are 4-6.
Doc Rivers praises Trae Young before Bucks face Hawks
If the Hawks are going to get another big win and cement their place in the NBA Cup Finals, it will take another stellar effort from Trae Young. However, as Rivers noted, that has looked vastly different this season than it has in years past.
Rivers will lean on Antetokoumpo and Damian Lillard, with the likes of Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, and Bobby Portis playing supporting roles.
The Hawks will lean on Young but he cannot do it alone.