The Atlanta Hawks prepare for their rematch against the Phoenix Suns, set for tomorrow night at State Farm Arena, following a loss to Phoenix last Thursday. The Hawks have not played since then due to a postponed game against Houston, and their injury report reveals Jalen Johnson is out with shoulder inflammation. This marks Johnson's fourth consecutive missed game, making his absence significant as he is one of the team's key contributors.
Currently, Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic are both listed as questionable. Johnson's absence is deeply felt, as he excels in rebounding, rim protection, and offensive creation, averaging nearly 20 points per game this season. The Hawks struggle without a solid backup for him, lacking depth in both the power forward and point guard positions.
As they gear up for the Suns, the Hawks must address their three-point shooting struggles, particularly after a poor second-half performance in their last matchup. While they initially shot well, they faltered in the latter stages, allowing Phoenix's bench players, particularly Bradley Beal and Grayson Allen, to take over the game. The Hawks also need to improve on the boards, having lost the rebounding battle 42-32, an area where Johnson's presence would provide a boost.
