Exciting news for Atlanta Hawks fans: Trae Young is back in action! However, the team will be missing two key players for the upcoming play-in tournament. Starting forward Jalen Johnson and backup center Onyeka Okongwu will be sidelined for the game against the Bulls on April 17.
Johnson sprained his ankle during Tuesday's game against the Heat and is expected to be out for at least three weeks. This setback could potentially stretch into the first round of the playoffs if the Hawks make it that far. Johnson has been a standout performer this season, averaging an impressive 16 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
On the other hand, Okongwu, who usually backs up Clint Capela, will be out for at least a month. He underwent a non-surgical procedure on Tuesday to address inflammation in his left big toe. Okongwu has been a solid contributor, averaging 10.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game this season.
The Hawks will face the Bulls as the No. 9 and 10 seeds in the Eastern Conference next Wednesday. While there's a slim chance the game could be in Atlanta, it's more likely to be at the United Center in Chicago. The winner of this matchup will advance to face the loser of the 7/8 play-in game, which as of now features Philadelphia and Miami. However, there's still time for these matchups to change, so stay tuned!
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