Jalen Johnson’s Breakout Season Is Turning Heads - And Maybe Even MVP Voters
When Jalen Johnson left Duke after just 13 games in the 2020-21 season, it was hard to predict what kind of NBA player he’d become. A foot injury and midseason opt-out clouded his draft stock, and he slid to No. 20 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, where the Atlanta Hawks took a chance on his upside.
Fast forward to the 2025-26 season, and that upside is turning into something much more tangible - something that looks a lot like stardom.
Now in his fifth NBA season, Johnson is playing the best basketball of his career, and it’s not just a hot streak - it’s a full-on breakout. He’s averaging 23.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while logging over 35 minutes a night.
And those numbers come with efficient shooting splits: 52.5% from the field, 39.3% from deep, and 83.2% from the line. That’s elite-level production across the board.
But the stat line only tells part of the story. Johnson has posted 10 consecutive double-doubles - tied for the longest streak in the league this season - and five triple-doubles during that stretch.
From December 5 to December 14, he rattled off four triple-doubles in a row, including a monster performance with 21 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists to kick off that run. That’s not just good basketball - that’s MVP-caliber impact.
And it’s not just what he’s doing on offense. Johnson’s defensive versatility has been a major asset for Atlanta. With his size, length, and fluid athleticism, he’s capable of guarding multiple positions and disrupting passing lanes, making him one of the more well-rounded forwards in the league right now.
The Hawks, sitting at 15-15, haven’t exactly lit the league on fire, but context matters. Trae Young missed a significant portion of the season with a knee injury, and Johnson was the one who kept the team afloat during that stretch.
He stepped into a primary role and didn’t just hold his own - he thrived. His ability to initiate offense, control tempo, and make plays for others gave Atlanta a lifeline when they needed it most.
Now that Young is back in the lineup, the dynamic between the two will be something to watch. But if Johnson continues to play at this level, he’s not just a complementary piece - he’s a cornerstone.
Will he win MVP this season? Probably not, especially with the Hawks hovering around .500 and other candidates putting up big numbers on title-contending teams. But the fact that he’s even in the conversation tells you everything you need to know about how far he’s come.
This isn’t just a good season for Johnson - it’s a statement. After years of injuries and flashes of potential, he’s finally healthy, finally in rhythm, and finally getting the opportunity to show what he can do as a featured player. And he’s making the most of it.
If he keeps this up, an All-Star nod feels like a lock. But more importantly, Jalen Johnson is showing that he belongs in the conversation with the league’s elite - not just as a future star, but as one of the best two-way forwards in the game right now.