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The Atlanta Hawks, who have enjoyed a relatively clean injury report for much of the season, are now facing a suddenly crowded infirmary as they prepare to host the Indiana Pacers on Monday.
Jalen Johnson is listed as questionable due to a left ankle sprain, while Jock Landale (left hip strain), Mouhamed Gueye (left foot fracture), and Henri Veesaar (torn right ACL) have all been ruled out. Landale sustained his injury early in Saturday's loss to the New Orleans Pelicans and did not return.
If Johnson is unable to suit up, the Hawks' frontcourt will be severely shorthanded, forcing the coaching staff to make difficult lineup decisions. Even if Johnson plays, the backup center position remains a question mark, as the team lacks a traditional third center and may rely on second-year forward Asa Newell or rookie Zuby Ejiofor to fill the role.
Newell, who played just over 18 minutes against the Pelicans, finished with 13 points and four rebounds. He struggled from beyond the arc, making just 1 of 6 attempts, but delivered a solid overall performance after being thrust into action unexpectedly.
Should Johnson be sidelined, the Hawks could consider inserting Lu Dort into the starting lineup, though doing so would leave the frontcourt undersized. Dort has primarily served as the backup power forward when the roster is healthy. Alternatively, Newell could get the nod, which would present defensive challenges but might improve rebounding and provide more size.
Atlanta isn't the only team dealing with injuries; Indiana will be without star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, a significant blow for the Pacers.
Regardless of how the injury situation unfolds, the Hawks must improve their play, particularly on offense. In their last outing, they shot a dismal 38.5% from the field and an abysmal 17.4% from three-point range.
Another area to monitor is how Atlanta starts the game. New Orleans won the first quarter by 17 points on Saturday, and in the previous game, Cleveland took the opening period by 15. The Hawks managed to come back against the Cavaliers but couldn't replicate that against the Pelicans.
Key Analysis
The Hawks' injury woes come at a critical juncture, with frontcourt depth already stretched thin. The potential absence of Johnson, combined with the loss of Landale, Gueye, and Veesaar, puts immense pressure on Newell and Ejiofor to step up. While Newell showed promise in extended minutes, asking him to anchor the center position against an NBA opponent is a tall order. The team's ability to adapt and find scoring options will be crucial, especially given their recent shooting struggles. With Haliburton out for Indiana, the Hawks have an opportunity to capitalize, but they must first solve their own rotation puzzle.