
Atlanta Hawks rising star Jalen Johnson was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played November 10-16. His dominant four game stretch fueled a perfect 4-0 road trip and showcased his all around skill set. For Hawks fans, this honor confirms what they have been seeing all season.
During that stretch, the third-year forward put up near triple double numbers that backed up his case for Player of the Week. He averaged 24.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 2.5 steals on elite efficiency: 60 percent from the field, 57 percent from three and almost 79 percent at the line. As a result, his production turned into wins as Atlanta swept its Western Conference trip. Consequently, the team built real momentum behind their latest Player of the Week.
The numbers behind the weekly award show how special Johnson‘s run was. Across those four games, Johnson totaled 96 points, 48 rebounds, 37 assists and 10 steals. That line made him the first player in Hawks history to hit that combination in any four game span. Around the league, only Nikola Jokic has matched that mix of scoring, playmaking and defense this season. In addition, Johnson ranked near the top of Eastern Conference leaders in field goal percentage and net rating. Overall, his impact strengthened his conference honor even more.
Game by game, Johnson’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week case kept getting stronger. He began the trip against the LA Clippers with 16 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a tight win. It fit the narrative and set the tone for the road swing.
Next, in Sacramento, he followed with 24 points on nine of 10 shooting. He added 10 rebounds and eight assists in just 24 minutes. That performance placed him among players with 20 points, 10 boards and five assists in under 25 minutes. Moreover, it came while he shot 90 percent from the field, the type of efficiency that often defines a Player of the Week stretch.
The signature night came in Utah on the second half of a back to back. There, Johnson became the 1st player in NBA history to post 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists and seven steals in his best showcase. No player had reached those marks in a single game since steals became an official statistic. He also joined a short list of players with a 30-point triple double and at least seven steals. Ultimately, that game showed why this weekly award was impossible to ignore.
He closed the road trip in Phoenix with 25 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. The Hawks trailed by 22 in the fourth quarter before storming back behind his passing, drives and timely shooting. Because of that surge, Atlanta finished a flawless week and locked in the Eastern Conference Player of the Week honor for its versatile forward.
This surge did not happen in a vacuum for Johnson. Throughout this season, coaches have trusted Johnson with the ball, key defensive matchups and late game decisions. Meanwhile, teammates respond to his energy, cutting harder and running the floor because they know he will find them. Consequently, the confidence on both sides has turned opportunity into sustained production and a well deserved weekly award.
Taken together, this stretch looks like a preview of what comes next for Johnson. His size, vision, defense and efficiency now shape Atlanta’s identity on both ends. If he sustains anything close to this level, the Hawks indeed have a future All-Star. Ultimately, conference honors and weekly awards could be only the beginning for one of the league’s most improved forwards.
More must-reads:
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!