Jalen Johnson just etched his name into Atlanta Hawks history-and he did it in style.
In Saturday night’s showdown against the Indiana Pacers, Johnson delivered a performance that wasn’t just impressive-it was record-breaking. The 22-year-old forward posted a 33-point, 12-rebound, 10-assist triple-double, adding three steals for good measure. It marked his eighth triple-double of the season, setting a new franchise record for the most in a single year.
Let that sink in: more triple-doubles in one season than anyone who’s ever worn a Hawks jersey. That includes some pretty elite company.
Johnson’s stat line tells the story of a player who’s not just stepping into a bigger role-he’s owning it. Since Trae Young was dealt to the Wizards earlier this season, Johnson has taken over the reins in Atlanta, and Saturday’s performance was another example of how far he’s come.
He played 36 minutes, shot 12-of-29 from the field, knocked down three of his six threes, and went 6-of-8 from the line. Efficient?
Not always. Relentless?
Absolutely.
Even with Johnson’s heroics, the Hawks couldn’t quite get over the hump, falling 129-124 on the road. The game had the feel of a back-and-forth battle early on, but Indiana’s 45-point explosion in the second quarter gave them a cushion they never really gave back. Atlanta made pushes, but the Pacers had answers.
Still, there were bright spots beyond Johnson. Six Hawks scored in double figures, showing that this team has depth-even if it’s still trying to figure out how to close games.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker turned in a strong all-around effort with 21 points, five assists, three boards, a steal and a block. He hit three triples and shot 7-of-17 overall, giving Atlanta a needed spark on both ends.
CJ McCollum added 18 points and four rebounds, Mouhamed Gueye chipped in 15 and four, and both Corey Kispert and Luke Kennard contributed 11 apiece. It was a balanced offensive showing, but defensively, the Hawks couldn’t slow Indiana down when it mattered most.
The loss drops Atlanta to 24-27 on the season, clinging to the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference. They’re still ahead of Charlotte and Milwaukee in the standings, but they’ve got work to do if they want to catch the Bulls and Heat above them.
Next up: another road test, this time in Miami. Tip-off is set for Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
ET. If Johnson keeps playing at this level, and the supporting cast can tighten things up on the defensive end, the Hawks might just be ready to turn a corner.