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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.

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.

Garland even erupted for 39 points five days ago against a very strong Rockets squad. January has been his best month of the season by far, averaging 24.7 points in 13 contests. As for facing the Atlanta Hawks, he’s dominated them this season as well, averaging 24 ppg across two meetings.

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.

Johnson tore the labrum in his left shoulder and is set to miss the rest of the season, according to a report from Chris Haynes.