The Hawks announced Sunday that Johnson underwent an X-ray on Saturday night and an MRI on Sunday morning and has been diagnosed with a left distal radius fracture. He will be re-evaluated in 3-to-4 weeks.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Sunday morning that initial tests didn't show a fracture, but that doesn't appear to be the case. Johnson averaged 14.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks in 31.5 minutes per game through his first 15 appearances this year, firmly putting him in the Most Improved Player conversation. However, he's now slated to miss a significant chunk of the season. In Johnson's absence, Saddiq Bey is a candidate to reclaim the starting spot he held at the beginning of the campaign, while Bogdan Bogdanovic, Wesley Matthews and AJ Griffin should garner increased roles off the bench.
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Hawks' Jalen Johnson: Out at least one month
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Johnson is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks after sustaining a left wrist injury in Saturday's win over the Wizards, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
While Johnson is slated to miss a significant amount of time, the projected 4-to-6-week absence is considered a positive outcome, as initial tests showed no fracture. For now, Johnson won't need surgery and could return by the end of December. In the meantime, Saddiq Bey is a candidate to reclaim the starting spot he held at the beginning of the campaign, while Bogdan Bogdanovic, Wesley Matthews, AJ Griffin and Garrison Mathews should garner increased roles off the bench. The third-year forward was in the midst of a Most Improved Player-caliber campaign, averaging 14.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks in 31.5 minutes per game through his first 15 appearances.
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Hawks' Jalen Johnson: Suffers wrist injury
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Johnson suffered a left wrist injury during Saturday's game against the Wizards and wasn't able to return. He finished with eight points (3-4 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), one rebound, one assist, two steals and one block in eight minutes.
The severity of the injury is not yet known, so it remains to be seen if Johnson will be able to play Sunday against the Celtics. If he's not able to suit up, Saddiq Bey would likely see a bump in minutes for the Hawks.
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Hawks' Jalen Johnson: Delivers double-double
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Johnson had 18 points (7-12 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists, three blocks and one steal across 36 minutes during Friday's 126-116 loss to the 76ers.
Johnson seems to have settled as Atlanta's starting power forward and has notched three double-doubles over his last seven contests while scoring in double figures in all but once in that span. Johnson is averaging 15.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game when deployed in a starting role, which should continue when the Hawks take on the Pacers on Tuesday.
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Hawks' Jalen Johnson: Blossoming as starter
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Johnson notched 18 points (7-9 FG, 4-4 3Pt), five rebounds and two blocks across 31 minutes during Wednesday's 116-114 loss to New York.
The third-year forward appears to be locking down a spot in the starting five for Atlanta. Johnson has started six straight games, during which he's averaging 16.0 points, 7.7 boards, 2.3 assists, 1.8 threes and 1.5 combined steals plus blocks while shooting 60.3 percent from the floor, and the 20th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft appears well on his way to a breakout campaign.
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Hawks' Jalen Johnson: Continues to impress
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Johnson supplied 19 points (7-9 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and one block over 31 minutes during Thursday's 120-119 victory over the Magic.
Johnson opened the year as a backup to Saddiq Bey, but he seems to be running away with the starting power forward role based on his recent performances. Johnson has started in each of Atlanta's last three games, scoring in double digits and grabbing at least nine boards each time. It wouldn't be surprising if he continues as a starter, a role in which he has averaged 15.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game through five outings.
Hawks' Jalen Johnson: Records double-double in loss
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Johnson racked up 13 points (6-15 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, five assists, one block and three steals over 34 minutes during Monday's 126-117 loss to the Thunder.
Johnson appears to have a firm hold on the spot vacated by John Collins in the offseason, although Saddiq Bey is also competing for time at the four. Monday represented Johnson's third consecutive double-digit rebound result.
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Hawks' Jalen Johnson: Excellent in starting role
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Johnson ended Saturday's 123-105 win over New Orleans with 21 points (8-13 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds and four assists over 36 minutes.
Johnson returned to the top unit in place of Saddiq Bey, and though head coach Quin Snyder may take a game-by-game approach to the starting power forward spot, the third-year player may have staked a more permanent claim to the role based on how he performed Saturday. The 22-year-old is off to an excellent start to the 2023-24 campaign, averaging 14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 three-pointers and 0.7 blocks in 29.7 minutes per contest while shooting 62.1 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from downtown.
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Hawks' Jalen Johnson: Starting against Pelicans
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Johnson is in the starting lineup against the Pelicans on Saturday, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Johnson is in line to make his third start in Atlanta's last four contests. He has been productive so far, scoring in double digits in all but one of his five appearances. He's averaging 13.2 points and 7.8 rebounds in 28.4 minutes per contest.
Johnson isn't in the starting five for Wednesday's game versus the Wizards, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Johnson will be replaced by Saddiq Bey in the starting lineup Wednesday. Johnson is averaging 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks in 29.5 minutes across his previous two bench appearances this season.
Johnson is starting Sunday's game against the Bucks, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Johnson came off the bench in his first two appearances of the season and averaged 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals in 29.5 minutes per game. He'll have an opportunity to take on a starting role while Saddiq Bey retreats to the bench.
Johnson accumulated 21 points (9-13 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-4 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals in 29 minutes during Wednesday's 116-110 loss to the Hornets.
Johnson was efficient around the basket en route to a career-high scoring night. Forming a well-balanced offensive trio with Saddiq Bey and De'Andre Hunter, Johnson's sizable roll off the bat bodes well for his breakout upside.
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Hawks' Jalen Johnson: Team option picked up
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Johnson's 2024-25 team option was picked up by Atlanta on Sunday, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Johnson is expected to be an integral part of Atlanta's rotation for the upcoming season, so the franchise exercising his final year of team control next season comes as no surprise. The 21-year-old is a dark-horse breakout candidate despite averaging just 5.6 points and 4.0 rebounds in 14.9 minutes per game last season.
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Hawks' Jalen Johnson: Returns to bench
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Johnson won't start Friday's preseason finale against the 76ers, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Johnson drew a few starts with Trae Young and Dejounte Murray resting, but Atlanta is rolling out its expected regular-season starters for Friday's preseason finale. Given the departure of John Collins, Johnson should have increased responsibilities this year, but the third-year forward is still expected to garner a modest bench role.
