Hawks’ Jalen Johnson is making a case for All-NBA consideration
The numbers are almost ridiculous to consider: 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists and seven steals.
Those would be impressive stats for two games for most NBA players. That was one night’s work against the Utah Jazz for Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, who became the first player in NBA history with that stat line numbers in one game.
What’s even more impressive was that it came on the second night of a back-to-back, after Johnson posted 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.
The MOET (My Own Eye Test) Index suggests that Johnson is well on his way to an All-NBA season for the Hawks (8-5), who have won their last four games — notably, without All-Star guard Trae Young, who is injured.
This is what was supposed to happen last season, before Johnson had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He was having an All-Star-caliber season and things fell apart.
The comparisons to the hot start in 2024-25 are apt. Through 11 games last season, Johnson posted 19.1 points, 10 rebounds and 4.9 assists, shooting 45% from the field, including 30.2% on 3-pointers
He’s improved those numbers through 11 games this year: 21.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 58% on field goals, with an impressive jump to 35.5% beyond the arc.
At 6-foot-9, Johnson has a unique skill set where he is the fast break, with his ability to rebound, move the ball up court and score or pass, as needed. That’s a particular set of skills that is needed now because of Young’s absence, but will also pair well when the veteran point guard returns.
Health has been the biggest question for Johnson, who played just 36 games last season and had career-best numbers: 18.9 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, with 31% on 3-pointers.
He’s missed two games so far this season — a loss to the defending-champion Thunder on Oct. 25 and a win over the Lakers to start the current western road trip — and the Hawks would be smart to manage both his minutes and his games, with adequate rest.
About the Author
Rod Beard is the Senior Sports Editor for pro sports at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, joining the team after 20-plus years at The Detroit News, where he was a beat writer for the Pistons for seven years, after five years covering the Michigan men's basketball team.
