Why the Atlanta Hawks’ forward looks like more than just a breakout story this season
The NBA doesn’t hand out “superstar” labels lightly. You have to earn it—night in, night out. And through the opening stretch of the 2025–26 season, Jalen Johnson is making one thing clear: he’s not just breaking out, he’s breaking through.
Johnson is putting up 20.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, all while shooting a blistering 58.6% from the field. For a 6-foot-8 forward tasked with both initiating offense and guarding top scorers, that level of production is more than just efficient—it’s elite.
This isn’t some hot streak. It’s a leap. Johnson looks faster, smarter, stronger. He’s not just fitting into the Hawks’ system—he’s shaping it. With Trae Young orchestrating the offense and a reshuffled roster around him, Johnson’s development into a point-forward threat has added a new dimension to Atlanta’s identity. When he’s on the floor, he reads the game like a guard, crashes the boards like a center, and runs the break like a wing.
And he does it all under control.
The Hawks have leaned into that versatility. They’ve handed Johnson more ball-handling responsibility, more touches, more chances to initiate. And he’s responded with poise. The turnovers are low, the decisions are sharp, and the plays he’s making are winning plays.
Johnson’s evolution didn’t happen overnight. He came into the league with potential—length, bounce, vision—but spent his first couple seasons carving out a role. Now, he’s owning one. This season, he’s passing the eye test and the stat test. He’s drawing tougher defensive matchups. He’s finishing through contact. He’s controlling the tempo in transition.
What separates Johnson from other emerging forwards is his feel for the game. He’s not just racking up empty stats. His impact is layered. He defends multiple positions. He initiates offense. He rebounds with intent. When the ball’s in his hands, the Hawks get organized.
And the best part? He’s still getting better. The jump in scoring is real, but so is the growth in his playmaking. He’s seeing angles he didn’t before. He’s trusting his handle in tighter windows. He’s hunting the right shots. This is a player who’s studying the game—and applying it.
Superstardom isn’t declared after 10 games. It’s built on sustained dominance, impact in big moments, and the ability to lead a team. But Johnson is checking more and more of those boxes. He’s playing with confidence, producing consistently, and giving Atlanta fans a reason to believe in the future.
The NBA is full of promising talent. But not every player takes the leap. Jalen Johnson has—and if his early-season form holds, he won’t just be one of the Hawks’ best players. He’ll be one of the league’s brightest.
The superstar conversation is happening. And Johnson’s not just in it. He might be leading it.
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