Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder didn’t mince words as Jalen Johnson scored a career-high 29 points in a loss to the Washington Wizards. The fourth-year forward also recorded 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 block and 1 steal, showcasing his all-around skills.

“He was great tonight,” Snyder told reporters after the Oct. 28 game. “When he attacks the rim and makes plays for other people, his offense has the opportunity to come to him and make quick decisions.” And he was great tonight. He’s found a real rhythm and that’s how we need him to play.”

Snyder’s words have proven prescient.

The Hawks are beaten up and Johnson and Trae Young have an even bigger burden to carry. They will be without Bogdan Bogdanovic for at least four weeks after he sustained a hamstring injury.

Sophomore and young backup Kobe Bufkin is on a similar projected schedule with a shoulder issue. Key reserve Vit Krejci will be out for at least two weeks with an adductor injury. And starting shooting guard Dyson Daniels will miss at least one game due to a hip problem.

It would help if De’Andre Hunter and Onyeka Okongwu could return and play well on Wednesday.

After the first meeting with the Wizards, Johnson needs to continue to improve his game for his injury-depleted team.

Young finished the game against the Wizards with 14 points, 13 assists, 8 rebounds, 1 block steal and 1 steal. He also reduced his turnovers from a season-high 10 in the Hawks’ loss to the Charlotte Hornets to 6 against Washington.

However, the three-time All-Star shot 2-for-15 from the floor (2-for-10 3P).

He was covered by Bilal Coulibaly, who he expects to see a lot of in the rematch after being so successful.

Johnson was the better choice on the night, but the consistency of his efficiency was a potential early bugbear. This is a great opportunity to show it off.

He will likely draw immediate additional attention from Washington, which will be without one of its first-round heroes, Kyle Kuzma, due to a groin strain. That could (hopefully) make things a little easier for Young.

Young can help himself by getting more involved in the paint to maximize his effectiveness.

It would also help the Hawks if rookie No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher could start knocking down shots. But the Hawks’ task is undoubtedly difficult, even if he makes it. They are incredibly understaffed when they hit a difficult part of the schedule.

The Hawks will play their next seven games with no more than one day of rest in between, including back-to-back games.

The first is when they visit Dejounte Murray and the New Orleans Pelicans on November 3rd.

They return home to host the Boston Celtics the next night. The Hawks will visit the Detroit Pistons on November 8th before hosting the Chicago Bulls on November 9th. The second game in a row is significantly less challenging on paper.

But the Hawks — who are still without several key players at this point — still face a daunting task.