Atlanta Hawks (22-25, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (38-9, first in the Eastern Conference) Cleveland; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Cavaliers -10.5; over/under is 237.

Atlanta forward Jalen Johnson plans to have shoulder surgery and miss the remainder of the season, a major blow to the struggling Hawks' efforts to remain in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Jalen Johnson's breakout season is over. The Atlanta Hawks forward will have season-ending shoulder surgery, the team confirmed Wednesday. Johnson, 23, suffered the shoulder injury during last Thursday's 122-119 loss against the Toronto Raptors.

The Atlanta Hawks' effort to climb back into the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference is about to get tougher.

Johnson, 23, suffered the shoulder injury during a loss to the Raptors last Thursday. Selected No. 20 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, the fourth-year wing was playing himself into the NBA All-Star conversation before the injury, averaging 18.9 points, 10 rebounds and five assists per game across 36 contests.

The Houston Rockets defeated the Atlanta Hawks last night, 100-96. The win comes on the second half of a back-to-back, as the Rockets defeated the Boston Celtics in TD Garden the previous night. This win at State Farm Arena was yet another test, as Houston has built a legitimate resume this season.

Amid a difficult 2024-25 season, the Atlanta Hawks reportedly suffered a major blow to their lineup on Wednesday. NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that

Johnson, star point guard Trae Young, defensive-minded swingman (and NBA steals leader) Dyson Daniels and rookie wing Zaccharie Risacher are Atlanta’s core players. For the rest of this season, however, the Hawks must soldier on without one of those four names.

A person confirmed the surgery plans to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the news had not yet been officially released by the team.

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson will undergo season-ending surgery on his shoulder, per multiple reports. Johnson, a burgeoning All-Star-caliber talent, injured his shoulder during Atlanta's loss to the Toronto Raptors last Thursday.

Atlanta Hawks star forward Jalen Johnson was injured early in the second quarter of a loss to the Toronto Raptors and it was reported today by NBA in