Ivan

Johnson

Johnson will resume his typical reserve role behind Zaza Pachulia upon his return, and has acted as an energy guy all season for Atlanta. Johnson is averaging 5.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in 14 minutes per game.

Johnson only does this every once in a while, so he’ll need to do it again before we take much notice.

For those who haven’t already, it’s time to add Johnson. He played 32 minutes tonight, and it’s not unreasonable to think he can post numbers like he did tonight the rest of the way.

As usual, Collins set bone-jarring screens and he was able to limit KG’s speed advantage. Marvin Williams came off the Hawks’ bench for just two points in 14 minutes, while rough-and-tumble Ivan Johnson added five rebounds and four fouls in 15 minutes. This was not a pretty game.

Johnson has no fantasy value with Zaza Pachulia and Josh Smith both healthy and rolling.

Johnson is tending to his pregnant girlfriend, leaving the Hawks frontcourt a bit thin off the bench.

X-rays taken were negative. Pachulia finished with eight points, four rebounds, and two assists in 16 minutes, and we’ll update you as soon as we learn the severity of the injury. Ivan Johnson did not play tonight due to a team-imposed suspension, but he could be worth a look if Pachulia’s injury is serious.

He’ll miss Friday’s game against the Magic, but Johnson should be back on Sunday against the Raptors. Johnson was sent back to Atlanta and will re-join the team on Saturday for a scheduled practice. Johnson’s absence on Friday should result in more minutes for Zaza Pachulia, as well as possibly seeing brief sightings of veterans Jason Collins and Erick Dampier.

Although X-rays were negative, Pachulia’s earliest potential return is now Wednesday against the Pistons. The Hawks utilized a small lineup with Ivan Johnson (suspended) out on Friday, but the D-League product is the most obvious candidate to start inside with Pachulia sidelined. It’s a tough blow for owners who had been relying on Pachulia, who is averaging 8.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 44 games as a starter.

Johnson was out on Wednesday in order to tend to his pregnant girlfriend but will be back on Friday.