Jalen Johnson’s start to the season has been strong enough to back up the All-Star leap he made last year, but the Hawks still have a problem they can’t ignore. Through the early part of the year, Johnson is averaging 19.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 7.2 assists, and Atlanta sits at 7-5 in the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.
The numbers look good. The bigger question is whether he’s willing to seize the moment when the spotlight gets hot.
That issue showed up again against the Los Angeles Lakers, when Atlanta’s four-game winning streak came to an end. Johnson posted 15 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, but the game was supposed to be a stage for him to assert himself.
Everyone knew Luka Doncic was the best player on the floor, and Johnson had a chance to make the case that he could be the clear second-best. Instead, he looked swallowed by the moment.
The biggest concern was how quiet he was early. Johnson attempted just five shots in the first half, which is far too little for a player with his talent and responsibilities. It stood in sharp contrast to the kind of approach Trae Young used to bring for the Hawks, forcing the action and taking over the stage no matter how polarizing the style might have been.
That’s the hurdle Johnson still has to clear. Talent is not the issue.
Confidence in those moments is. Atlanta’s ceiling is tied directly to how far he can carry them, and with 70 games still left, he’ll have plenty of chances to push back against the doubts.
November is going to offer a clear test. The Hawks are set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks, and all four teams are expected to be favored. Those matchups bring a run of elite shot-makers and primary options: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brunson and Cade Cunningham.
For Atlanta, that stretch should tell a lot about Johnson’s readiness to lead. If he plays with the aggression expected of a true All-Star, the Hawks can give themselves a real chance in those games. If he stays passive, their odds take a hit, and the skepticism around this team only grows louder.
In Other News...
Hawks Get A Chance To Silence One Early Offensive Concern
The Hawks four-game winning streak came to an end Nov. 9 in Los Angeles, where the Lakers handed Atlanta a 124-114 loss and exposed an early offensive issue the team will want to clean up quickly. Turnovers and stretches of uneven execution made it harder for the Hawks to settle into their rhythm, and the defeat served as a reminder that even a productive offense can get derailed when possessions start slipping away.
A chance to respond arrives Nov. 13 against the Bulls, a matchup that should give Atlanta room to get back on track. Chicago has had its own defensive problems, which makes this a useful measuring stick for the Hawks as they try to sharpen their ball handling and find more consistency after a frustrating night in Los Angeles. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Made One Early Rotation Mistake They Can't Keep Repeating
The Hawks offense has been at its best this season when Jalen Johnson is helping steer it, and the same goes for Dyson Daniels and Kingston Flemings, two other playmakers who have given Atlanta more ball movement and easier looks. Johnsons breakout year has come with him leading the team in assists, while Daniels and Flemings have also provided enough distribution to keep the attack from getting too stagnant.
Against the Lakers, though, Atlanta learned how fragile that balance can be when too many creators sit at once. The Hawks need at least one of those three on the floor to keep the offense organized and prevent long empty stretches, especially in games where the halfcourt possessions start to tighten up. It is the kind of rotation wrinkle that can swing a quarter quickly, and one Atlanta cannot afford to keep repeating. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Already Have One Roster Concern That Could Get Exposed Fast
With the Hawks having played more games than anyone else in the NBA and sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference, the early-season picture has already given them a decent sample size to sort through. There have been encouraging signs from the backcourt, and the overall record suggests they have handled the grind well enough to stay in the mix while the rest of the league catches up.
Even so, the roster still has a few spots that could become harder to hide as the schedule tightens. Atlantas depth has been part of the story, but the margins get thinner when certain rotation pieces are not giving the same kind of impact night to night, and that is where the Hawks may start to feel some pressure if the trend continues. Onyeka Okongwus role only adds to the importance of getting the rest of the lineup sorted before those concerns turn into a bigger issue. [Read more 🡒]