More questions than answers have accompanied the Atlanta Hawks’ recent struggles, and their latest injury update adds another layer of uncertainty. As the team prepares for a challenging stretch, availability issues involving two of its most crucial players threaten to impact both the immediate future and the broader direction of the season.
Atlanta’s Injury Concerns Deepen as Jalen Johnson and Trae Young Remain Sidelined
The Hawks confirmed that both Jalen Johnson and Trae Young will miss Monday night’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a blow for a team already riding a six-game losing streak.
Johnson has been ruled out due to illness, while Young will sit with a right quad contusion after appearing on the injury report earlier in the week.
Young had played through the issue in the previous outing against the New York Knicks, but his performance reflected his limitations. He finished with just nine points on 2-of-9 shooting, far from his usual production.
The Hawks say both Jalen Johnson (illness) and Trae Young (right quad contusion) have been ruled out for tonight’s game in Oklahoma City.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 29, 2025
Reflecting on his condition afterward, Young said, “Today was the first day I felt better. I didn’t have to ask for a sub. Last game, I kind of asked for a sub in the third, and this game, I felt fine, felt good.” Despite that optimism, the team ultimately chose caution, ruling him out for the upcoming matchup.
Johnson’s absence may be even more challenging to absorb. The forward has been one of the Hawks’ most consistent performers this season and was coming off a 20-point, nine-rebound, 12-assist showing against New York.
Over his last five games, he has averaged 24.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 9.4 assists, while shooting efficiently from the floor. On the season, he is posting 23.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game, all career highs.
His emergence has been a bright spot during a turbulent stretch. With the Hawks sliding down the standings and struggling defensively, Johnson’s two-way impact has helped keep games competitive. He has also made history, becoming just the third player under 24 to record four consecutive triple-doubles, strengthening his case as a potential first-time All-Star.
The Hawks’ defensive issues remain a concern, having allowed more than 125 points per game during their six-game losing streak. Without Young’s playmaking and Johnson’s versatility, the burden now shifts to the rest of the roster to stabilize things against the Thunder.
With the Hawks fighting to hold their position in the Eastern Conference, the coming days will reveal whether this stretch is merely a temporary setback or a sign of deeper problems as the season progresses.
