Jalen Johnson’s Breakout Season Is No Fluke - It’s the Beginning of Something Bigger
When Jalen Johnson entered the league as a 2021 first-round pick out of Duke, the expectations were modest. Scouts saw the raw tools - the size, the athleticism, the flashes of playmaking - but they also saw a player who needed time. And for the first couple of years, that’s exactly what he got: time to develop, time to adjust, and time to find his footing in the NBA.
Now, in his fifth season, that patience is paying off in a big way.
After spending his first two years logging just 10 minutes per game - largely in a reserve role - Johnson’s opportunity finally came heading into the 2023-24 season. He was handed a starting role, and since then, he’s taken that opportunity and run with it.
What we’re seeing now isn’t just a young player figuring things out. We’re watching the emergence of a potential franchise cornerstone.
A Stat Sheet That Speaks Volumes
Let’s talk numbers, because they’re impossible to ignore. Since stepping into the starting lineup, Johnson has been logging around 35 minutes a night, and his production has taken off. He’s averaging 22.8 points, 8.2 assists, and nearly 11 rebounds per game - numbers that don’t just scream “All-Star,” they whisper something even louder: “superstar in the making.”
And here’s the thing - he’s not padding stats in garbage time or riding hot streaks. Johnson’s impact is consistent, game in and game out.
That’s the real separator. Plenty of players can put up a big night here and there.
But when you’re doing it nightly, when your team starts leaning on you in crunch time, when your presence changes the dynamic on both ends of the floor - that’s when you know you’ve arrived.
Holding It Down Without Trae
What makes Johnson’s leap even more impressive is the context. With Trae Young sidelined, the Hawks needed someone to step up - not just as a scorer, but as a leader.
Johnson answered that call. He’s been the engine behind Atlanta’s solid 14-9 start, keeping the offense humming while also taking on more defensive responsibility.
It’s one thing to thrive alongside a star. It’s another to become the star when your co-pilot goes down. Johnson has embraced that challenge, and in doing so, he’s shown a level of maturity and poise that goes beyond the box score.
A Two-Way Force in the Making
Offensively, Johnson’s growth has been well-documented. But what’s flown a bit under the radar is how much better he’s gotten defensively.
He’s using his size and athleticism to guard multiple positions, showing improved instincts and timing. He’s not just a highlight-reel dunker or a flashy passer - he’s becoming a complete player.
That kind of two-way versatility is rare. And it’s a big reason why there’s growing belief that Johnson’s ceiling might be even higher than what we’re seeing right now.
From Prospect to Problem - for Opponents
Looking back at the 2021 draft, it’s clear the Hawks saw something in Johnson that others might’ve missed. They were willing to invest in his development, and now that investment is starting to yield serious returns.
What’s changed isn’t just the numbers - it’s the way Johnson is impacting the game. He’s dictating tempo, creating for others, crashing the glass, and embracing the moment.
He’s not asking for the spotlight anymore. He’s owning it.
And the conversation around him has shifted, too. It’s no longer about what he might become. It’s about how far he can take this - and how soon.
The Verdict
At just 23 years old, Jalen Johnson is turning heads across the league. He’s not just playing well - he’s forcing teams to gameplan around him. He’s proving that the leap from role player to rising star is real, and it’s happening right before our eyes.
If this trajectory holds, we’re not just looking at a future All-Star. We’re looking at someone who could redefine what the Hawks are building around.
And maybe, just maybe, we’re witnessing the early chapters of a superstar story in Atlanta.