NBA Southeast Notebook: Jalen Johnson Ascends, LaMelo’s Challenge, and the Magic Keep Rolling Without Banchero
Atlanta Hawks - Jalen Johnson is arriving
There’s a difference between playing well and playing like the guy. Jalen Johnson is starting to blur that line in Atlanta - and Sunday night might’ve been his loudest statement yet.
In a double-overtime win over the Sixers, Johnson poured in a career-high 41 points, including 12 in the extra sessions. When the game got tight, the Hawks didn’t just trust him - they gave him the keys. And he drove like a veteran who’s been here before.
Head coach Quin Snyder praised the 21-year-old’s growth, especially his ability to stay composed when things don’t go his way. “When he’s made mistakes, he hasn’t let it get to him,” Snyder said.
“He’s responded and adjusted. That’s the sign of a more mature player.
We’re trusting him to make a play, and that’s the thing he’s embracing.”
That trust isn’t just talk. Over the last 10 games, Johnson is averaging 25.4 points, 11 rebounds, and 9.1 assists - numbers that scream All-Star.
He’s doing it all while just beginning a five-year, $150 million contract. That kind of production so early in the deal?
That’s what front offices dream about.
For Johnson, it’s simple. “I’m just trusting my work,” he said. “When you got that recipe, only good things happen.”
Right now, the Hawks are cooking with it.
Charlotte Hornets - LaMelo’s Next Step
LaMelo Ball’s offensive talent has never been in question. His vision, creativity, and flair make him one of the most exciting young guards in the league. But for new head coach Charles Lee, the next step is about impact - even when the shots aren’t falling.
Ball’s name has been swirling in trade rumors, but Lee is focused on what his franchise cornerstone can do right now, especially on the other end of the floor.
“We talk about that a good amount,” Lee said. “Now we have to back it up with our actions game after game, day after day. This is the standard.”
Lee knows that when Ball locks in defensively, it changes the entire complexion of the Hornets. “When he plays at that high of a level, he makes our team different and really special.”
It’s a challenge for Ball - not just to lead with flair, but with focus. The Hornets are asking more of him, and if he answers, it could elevate both his game and the team’s ceiling.
Orlando Magic - No Banchero, No Problem (For Now)
The Magic are quietly becoming one of the East’s most balanced teams - and they’re doing it without their All-Star forward.
Paolo Banchero hasn’t played since November 12 due to a left groin strain and remains in the non-contact phase of his rehab. Head coach Jamahl Mosley is taking a cautious approach. “We just continue to see and monitor how he responds to each treatment each day,” Mosley said.
Still, Orlando hasn’t missed a beat. The Magic currently sit in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive rating - a major leap from last season. Offensively, they’ve climbed to eighth in the league, thanks in part to Desmond Bane’s steady scoring and some smart adjustments from the coaching staff.
That kind of two-way efficiency is rare, especially for a young team missing its best player. But the Magic are showing they have the depth, discipline, and system to stay competitive - and when Banchero returns, they could be even more dangerous.
Bottom Line
Jalen Johnson’s breakout isn’t just a hot streak - it’s starting to feel like a shift in Atlanta’s hierarchy. In Charlotte, LaMelo Ball is being pushed to evolve into a more complete leader. And in Orlando, the Magic are proving they’re more than just Paolo Banchero - though they’ll welcome him back with open arms.
The Southeast Division is full of young talent, but what’s standing out now is maturity. And that’s what separates promise from progress.