Hawks Star Jalen Johnson Ruled Out vs. Warriors

Atlanta will be without their leading scorer and playmaker for Saturday's matchup.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 10:20pm

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The Atlanta Hawks will be without star forward Jalen Johnson for Saturday's game against the Golden State Warriors due to left shoulder inflammation. Johnson, a first-time All-Star this season, has been a driving force behind the Hawks' success, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists. Atlanta is just 2-5 without Johnson this year, and they'll likely lean on recently acquired veteran CJ McCollum and breakout guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker to fill the void.

Why it matters

Jalen Johnson's absence is a significant blow for the Hawks, who are fighting for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. The 24-year-old has emerged as one of the NBA's brightest young stars, and his playmaking and scoring ability are crucial to Atlanta's success. The team will need other players to step up in his absence against a shorthanded Warriors squad.

The details

The Hawks announced that Jalen Johnson will miss Saturday's game against the Warriors due to left shoulder inflammation. Johnson, who is averaging 22.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game this season, has been a driving force behind Atlanta's success. The team is just 2-5 without him this year. With Johnson sidelined, the Hawks will likely turn to recently acquired veteran CJ McCollum and second-year guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker to help fill the void. Jonathan Kuminga, acquired from the Warriors at the trade deadline, is also expected to play against his former team.

  • The Hawks announced Johnson's injury status on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
  • The Hawks and Warriors are scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

The players

Jalen Johnson

A 24-year-old star forward for the Atlanta Hawks, who is averaging 22.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game this season.

CJ McCollum

A veteran guard recently acquired by the Hawks, who will likely play a larger role in Johnson's absence.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

A second-year guard for the Hawks who is enjoying a breakout campaign, averaging 20.4 points per game.

Jonathan Kuminga

A forward recently acquired by the Hawks from the Warriors, who is expected to play against his former team.

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What they’re saying

“We must find a way to win without our star player, but it won't be easy. Jalen is such a crucial part of what we do.”

— Nate McMillan, Hawks Head Coach

What’s next

The Hawks will need to find a way to win without Jalen Johnson when they take on the shorthanded Warriors on Saturday night. The team's performance and the status of Johnson's injury will be closely monitored as Atlanta continues its push for playoff positioning.

The takeaway

Jalen Johnson's absence is a significant blow for the Hawks, who have relied heavily on the young star's production this season. Atlanta will need other players to step up in his absence, but the team's success has been closely tied to Johnson's performance. This injury highlights the Hawks' depth and their ability to adapt to adversity as they fight for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.