Jalen Johnson has stepped up as the Atlanta Hawks' best player during Trae Young's injury absence, showcasing elite all-around performance. In a recent win over Charlotte, Johnson recorded 28 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and zero turnovers, making Hawks history. His contributions have boosted the team's defense while maintaining offensive efficiency.
Jalen Johnson is currently averaging at least 20 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and 1.5 steals per game, joining Nikola Jokić as one of only two NBA players achieving this statistical feat. As the standout performer for the Atlanta Hawks, Johnson appears poised for his first All-Star nod, regardless of the new selection format.
In Sunday's victory against Charlotte, Johnson delivered a historic performance: 28 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and no turnovers. This marked the first 25-plus point, 10-plus assist, five-plus rebound game in franchise regular-season history without turnovers since tracking began in 1977-78.
A league scout praised Johnson's composure, noting, "He covers ground so easily; his head is always up. He's never out of control. ... He's processing a bunch of high-level stuff, mostly on the fly." The Hawks' fast-paced style, forcing 16.8 turnovers per game (fifth in the league) and scoring 22.3 points off turnovers (third), aligns with Johnson's athleticism.
Johnson's shooting has improved to 41.5% from three-point range, up from 31% last season, including 50% (21 for 42) over his last 11 games. His efficiency stands at 130.2 points per 100 shots, ranking 13th among high-usage players. He has tallied 208 paint points (top seven), 62 fast-break points (12th) and 26 dunks (17th).
With a 30.9 assist rate—second among forwards to only Giannis Antetokounmpo—Johnson facilitates effectively in transition and half-court sets. Since Trae Young's sprained MCL on Oct. 29, the Hawks have gone 10-4 (including a partial Young game), ranking seventh in defense with a 111.7 defensive rating when Johnson plays without Young. The offense holds steady at 118.4, comparable to prior levels with Young.
Young's return poses questions about ball-handling dynamics and defensive impact, as the Hawks were 1-3 before his injury. Johnson now leads a versatile roster, shifting the team away from Young's pick-and-roll focus.