{"id":168364,"date":"2025-11-29T15:14:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-29T20:14:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=168364"},"modified":"2025-11-29T15:14:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-29T20:14:13","slug":"hawks-potential-all-star-emerges-as-triple-double-threat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/11\/29\/hawks-potential-all-star-emerges-as-triple-double-threat\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawks Potential All-Star Emerges As Triple-Double Threat"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many people predicted that Jalen Johnson<\/a> would take a big leap this season. He showed promising flashes in the previous two campaigns, but both were cut short by injuries. Ankle sprains and a fractured wrist disqualified Johnson for the Most Improved Player award in the 2023-24 season. He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury last January while averaging career-high numbers across the board.<\/p>\n

If Johnson stays healthy this season, he might be in store for his first All-Star selection, more than living up to the lofty standards placed upon him. He affects the game in so many ways, becoming a triple-double threat each night he steps onto the court.<\/p>\n

Hawks Potential All-Star Emerges As Triple-Double Threat<\/h2>\n

Jalen Johnson Takes on a Bigger Offensive Role and Thrives<\/h3>\n

Trae Young<\/a> suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee on Oct. 29, a huge blow to the Hawks in the first five games of a promising season with high expectations. Atlanta lost its offensive orchestrator, and for a team that struggled to score in the halfcourt<\/a> last season, it looked like the Hawks were in trouble. However, Johnson’s leadership and all-around play are a huge reason why Atlanta still holds a 12-8 record, good for fifth in the Eastern Conference, without its All-Star guard. Questions surrounded his ability to find his offensive rhythm in the halfcourt heading into the season, but that no longer seems to be the case.<\/p>\n

The Hawks star owns a career-high 25.4% usage rate through 20 games. Johnson averages 21.9 points, 7.3 assists, and 9.6 rebounds per contest. His points and assists represent career-bests. He started the season slowly from beyond the arc, shooting just\u00a0 9.1% on his three-pointers on 2.2 attempts through five October games. However, Johnson bounced back in a big way in his next 15 games, converting 45.3% from deep on 4.1 attempts. The Hawks lost important three-point volume and spacing when Young went down, but Johnson’s increased efficiency makes up for it.<\/p>\n

Triple-Doubles Are Not So Surprising Anymore<\/h3>\n

Johnson’s unique skill set at 6-foot-9, 220 pounds lays the groundwork for impressive triple-doubles. He has two this season after just two in his previous four campaigns. He became the first Hawks player with multiple triple-doubles in a season<\/a> since 2019-2020. The double-digit points and rebounds are not surprising, but his assists rose by 2.3 per game this season. He currently holds a streak of ten straight games<\/a> with at least seven dimes dating back to Nov. 7.<\/p>\n

Atlanta starts Dyson Daniels<\/a> and Nickeil Alexander-Walker<\/a> in the backcourt without Young, but Johnson initiates a lot of the offense. The Hawks run a lot of inverted pick-and-rolls, where either guard sets a screen for the 23-year-old forward. This action creates many mismatches, allowing Johnson to use his ball-handling, size, and athleticism to get to the rim. Atlanta closed out its Nov. 28 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in this fashion. Alexander-Walker<\/a> and Zaccharie Risacher<\/a> hit two big three-pointers to ice the game. Johnson finished with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 dimes.<\/p>\n

\n

Baseball has 5-tool players, basketball has Jalen Johnson \ud83e\uddf0@Jalen_J23<\/a> x @UPS<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/TqnN27iZsV<\/a><\/p>\n

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) November 29, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n