Jalen Johnson is among the most exciting young forwards in the NBA, and it's not up for debate.
The 6-foot-8 former first-round pick’s growth over the years has been exhilarating to witness, as he finally appears to be coming into his own after a slow start to his career.
Johnson, who’s playing exceptionally well to begin the 2025-26 campaign, recently made basketball history the NBA has never seen.
“Jalen Johnson is the youngest forward in NBA history to record a 20/15/15 game,” Real Sports stated on X/Twitter after the 23-year-old's 21-point, 18-rebound, and 16-assist performance against the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
Although wins haven’t come easily for the Trae Young-less Hawks (Young's dealing with a right knee injury), the franchise should be encouraged by their 2021 No. 20 overall pick’s progression in a Hawks uniform.
Johnson has always been an explosive one-footed leaper who’s most dangerous in transition and a committed rebounder. However, the Wausau, Wisconsin native's perimeter shooting was a significant question mark heading into his fifth campaign.
Impressively, Johnson has finally proven he can be a formidable threat beyond the arc, as he’s averaging 23.1 and 10.4 rebounds while shooting 53.3% from the field and 40.5% from three in 21 outings.
The Duke product will get an opportunity to build on his advantageous momentum when the 13-11 Hawks face the 3-18 Washington Wizards at Capitol One Arena on Saturday night.
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