Hawks’ Jalen Johnson Cleared to Play Against Pistons in Crucial Eastern Conference Matchup

ATLANTA, Ga. — Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, previously listed as questionable with a shoulder injury, has been cleared to play in Wednesday night’s game against the Detroit Pistons. The announcement comes as the Hawks prepare for only their second home game since the start of 2025, with playoff implications on the line.

Johnson, alongside star point guard Trae Young, will be available for the Hawks as they face a Pistons team that has undergone significant changes since their last meeting in November. Detroit will be without guard Jaden Ivey, who excelled in the previous matchup, but will welcome back Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren, both of whom missed the earlier game.

The Hawks, currently sixth in the Eastern Conference, hold a slim half-game lead over the seventh-place Pistons. With only two more matchups scheduled between the teams this season, tonight’s game could prove pivotal in determining the season series and potential playoff tiebreakers.

Atlanta enters the game with a strong offensive profile, ranking sixth in the NBA in points per game (PPG) and third in free throw attempts (FTA). However, their defense has struggled, ranking 28th in PPG allowed and 29th in three-point percentage allowed. The Pistons, meanwhile, boast a more balanced statistical profile, ranking 15th in PPG and 17th in three-point attempts allowed.

In their last meeting, Trae Young dominated with 35 points and 13 assists, but Detroit’s Cade Cunningham countered with a triple-double, including the game-winning basket. Young will face a tougher defensive challenge this time with Thompson available to guard him.

Atlanta’s lineup decisions will also be under scrutiny. Onyeka Okongwu started over Clint Capela in their previous game, a rare occurrence when both are healthy. De'Andre Hunter, a key bench player and 6th Man of the Year candidate, will look to build on his 22-point performance against the Knicks. Meanwhile, Bogdan Bogdanovic‘s shooting struggles remain a concern for the Hawks, as he enters the game shooting a career-low 31% from three.

The Hawks will need to avoid a slow start, a problem that plagued them in November when the Pistons outscored them 40-23 in the first quarter. Despite rallying in subsequent quarters, Atlanta couldn’t overcome the early deficit.

With playoff positioning at stake, both teams are expected to bring their best in what could be one of the most consequential matchups of the season.