The Atlanta Hawks faced off against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, aiming for their 29th win of the season. However, the game took an unfortunate turn when star forward Jalen Johnson suffered a hip injury.
According to NBA Insider Brett Siegel, Johnson, who is just 24, sustained a left hip flexor injury during the game. The Hawks initially listed him as questionable to return, but ultimately decided he would not rejoin the action.
The injury happened within the first six minutes of the matchup. Before leaving the court, Johnson had already made an impact, tallying five points, three rebounds, and two steals, shooting 50% from the field. After a brief visit to the locker room, the team confirmed he would sit out the rest of the game.
Fans and teammates alike are hoping the injury isn't severe, as Johnson has become a key player for the Hawks. This season, he's been putting up impressive numbers, averaging 23.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
His shooting has been solid too, with a 49.4% field goal percentage and 34.3% from three-point range. His stellar performance earned him an All-Star selection for the first time.
With Johnson sidelined, newly acquired forward Jonathan Kuminga might see increased minutes. Zaccharie Risacher could also play a larger role. Both players are expected to step up if Johnson misses more time, providing the Hawks with some much-needed depth in his absence.