Home / Sports / Johnson's rise: Hawks' new face eyes playoff spotlight
Johnson's rise: Hawks' new face eyes playoff spotlight
16 Apr
Summary
- Jalen Johnson averages career-highs in points, rebounds, and assists.
- He is the only Hawk with 1,500+ points, 500+ rebounds, and 500+ assists.
- Johnson is the only player under 25 to average 22+ points, 10+ rebounds, 7+ assists.
Jalen Johnson has officially become the face of the Atlanta Hawks franchise, demonstrating remarkable growth throughout the season. He is now averaging career highs across the board, with 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game.
Johnson's statistical achievements place him in elite company. He is the sole player in Hawks franchise history and one of only two players in the NBA this season to record over 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists. Notably, he joins legends like Wilt Chamberlain and Nikola Jokic as players to average at least 22.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in a single season, and is one of only two under the age of 25 to do so.
His impressive play included averaging a triple-double of 25.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 10.1 assists during March, earning him Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors. Johnson also recorded the second-fastest triple-double in NBA history on December 5th and secured his 15th career triple-double on March 16th, making him one of the youngest and fastest to reach that milestone.
This season's accolades, including being named a 2026 NBA All-Star, highlight his significant development. Johnson's continued improvement has propelled the Hawks to the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference, earning them a playoff spot and a challenging matchup at Madison Square Garden.
