LOS ANGELES -- The Hawks will have to face the Jazz on Tuesday without forward Jalen Johnson.
The team ruled out Johnson ahead of the game on Monday with right shoulder inflammation. It’s the first time this season that an injury has forced Johnson to miss consecutive games. Johnson had been stringing together one of his most efficient seasons, where he has averaged 19.8 points, 1.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.3 steals and one block per game.
The Hawks have benefited from his versatility and ability to create looks for his teammates, especially when guard Trae Young goes to the bench for a breather.
Johnson has provided the Hawks with an offensive engine, accounting for 7.9 points more per 100 possessions when he is on the court versus off. The Hawks have also been able to trust him defensively since they allow 10.1 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the court than when he’s off.
The 23-year-old forward has missed four games before his absence in Tuesday’s game.
Though Johnson missing the matchup against the Jazz takes away some size from the Hawks rotation, they get some spacing back with the potential return of Bogdan Bogdanovic. The Hawks listed Bogdanovic, who missed Saturday’s game, as probable.
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