The Atlanta Hawks clearly seemed to turn a corner this offseason. Being far more aggressive than at any point in the past, they brought in key contributors as role players in the form of Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kristaps Porzingis. Add in the ascending Dyson Daniels and the recipe for success was clear to see.
However, what has been a shock through the first month of the season when it comes to this team has been their success without arguably the best player on the roster, Trae Young. With the team performing better than ever around Jalen Johnson, it even led to a feat no other player had accomplished in the franchise’s history.
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Jalen Johnson Taking Over the Hawks From Trae Young
A first-round selection at the 20th overall pick, it was hard to imagine Johnson would turn into the budding superstar he’s quietly becoming for Atlanta. After a slow start in his first two seasons, he came into his own in the 2023-24 season.
A Most Improved Player Award candidate each of the last two years, he hasn’t been able to take home the trophy due to a shoddy injury history that hasn’t allowed him to cross the 75-game threshold in either season.
However, it seems like his award to lose once again, as the 23-year-old has emerged as a legitimate first option for the Hawks while Young remains out of the lineup with a sprained MCL. Even without their superstar point guard, they have gone 9-4 in the last stretch.
And Johnson has been at the center of their entire run, averaging 22.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and seven assists. He’s become a threat from every spot on the floor, while remaining a plus defender.
A blistering shooting stroke, with averages of 56.2% from the field, 41.5% from the 3-point line, and 80% from the charity stripe, has made him a guaranteed bucket every night. However, the pace he’s currently setting is nothing short of historic.
In their latest outing, a gruelling 113-110 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, Johnson finished with 40 minutes of playing time, adding 28 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds on the stat sheet.
After the game, the official account of the NBA confirmed what a special night it had been for the former Duke star. “The first 25+ PT, 10+ AST, 5+ REB game in franchise history with no turnovers in the regular season since 1977-78 (when TOs were first recorded).”
JALEN JOHNSON MAKES HISTORY IN HAWKS WIN!
28 PTS | 11 AST | 8 REB | 0 TO
The FIRST 25+ PT, 10+ AST, 5+ REB game in franchise history with no turnovers in the regular season since 1977-78 (when TOs were first recorded) 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pwLU8oJJS2
— NBA (@NBA) November 24, 2025
For a franchise that has boasted some absolute legends of the game like Dominique Wilkins and Dikembe Mutombo among others, the niche Johnson is creating for himself feels special.
If the team can maintain its current level of play while adding arguably their best player in a few weeks, then he vision the organization had this offseason could come to fruition in short order.