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While the 14-11 the Atlanta Hawks have not exactly dominated this season, they have certainly impressed. With Trae Young missing most of the year, a number of guys have had to step up for this team.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is averaging over 20 points per game. Onyeka Okongwu has turned into one of the league’s most surprising snipers.
And perhaps the most impressive of all has been Jalen Johnson taking it to yet another level. In the span of just 24 hours, the Atlanta forward posted two triple-doubles. One of them came inside of the first half, putting him on a historic list. It was the second-fastest triple-double in NBA history, as a matter of fact.
Johnson now has four of them this season, which is tied for the most-ever in one campaign by a Hawk.
Jalen Johnson Ties Bill Bridges
The late Bill Bridges played with the Atlanta Hawks in the days before the team had even moved to Atlanta. Prior to the addition of the three-point line. He entered the league in 1962, and stayed with the franchise until being dealt in 1971.
Bridges legendary career started as a walk-on at Kansas, and finished with an NCAA All-Region selection, three All-Star selections, an All-Defense nod, and an NBA championship in 1975.
The forward posted four triple-doubles in the 1969-70 season. That was the most ever in a single year by a Hawk until now. Jalen Johnson, just a month-and-a-half into the season, has tied the mark.
There hasn’t been much the big man has not been doing, and in the absence of franchise superstar Trae Young, he has morphed into the league’s next great story.
Johnson is one of just three Hawks to amass at least three in a season, something he did two nights ago. Doc Rivers had three in 1987-88. Trae is on a long list of guys to have at least two in one campaign.
The thing about Johnson is that this has been a steady rise over the last few years. If the injury didn’t hit him as it did in 2024-25, this breakout could be even wilder.
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks Superstar
The questions are not about what Jalen Johnson can do. Those stopped coming in a long time ago. The only thing being asked now is what he cannot do? Putting up crazy numbers seemingly every night has proven that the forward is capable of guiding this team to new heights.
As Trae Young has continued to miss time with an MCL injury, the former Duke Blue Devil has been cooking every team just the same.
Johnson has three triple-doubles total in his last six games, and over his last nine, has not posted any fewer than seven assists. This is an ascension from a very good player, to being arguably now a top-20 one in the association.
The Hawks had a lot of questions to answer this year. But one thing has become absolutely clear. Regardless of Trae’s status and recovery time, their best player may very well be the guy wearing No. 1.
He is one triple-double away from serious franchise history, and he’s stuffing the stat sheet against even the best of competition.
December 29th. Atlanta plays in OKC . Mark your calendar.
Zach Weiss Zach Weiss is a sports reporter covering the NBA for Heavy. He also hosts a podcast about the Cleveland Cavaliers, “Across the Cavs,” and serves as a sports broadcaster for various institutions in the Greater NYC Area. He wrote for Knup Sports for six years. More about Zach Weiss
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