Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson is the focal point of the franchise as they head into their final preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks on October 16. The Hawks are coming off a 113-110 preseason win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 12, part of a 3-1 exhibition slate that also saw victories over the Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs.
Johnson is coming off a career year where he averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists, earning his first All-Star selection and a spot on the All-NBA Third Team. His transformation into a primary playmaker was vital last season, especially during Trae Young's extended absence. Johnson tied for the second-most triple-doubles in the league, proving himself as a true point forward.
Johnson's quantum leap last season established him as the Hawks' best player. He increased his three-point percentage, which opened the floor for Atlanta's offense. But his playoff performance against the eventual champion New York Knicks revealed areas for growth. He shot just 29% from three in that series and saw his scoring average drop.
After the season, Johnson dedicated himself to studying that playoff film. "The first month and a half, two months after the season, all I watched was film from that Knicks series," Johnson said at media day. "Just seeing how I can learn and grow from that. Because at the end of the day, I want to win championships." Analysts noted he sometimes deferred too much to teammates like CJ McCollum during the postseason, disrupting his own rhythm.
The arrival of rookie guard Kingston Flemings, the eighth overall pick, could be significant. Flemings is expected to handle some of the ball-handling duties, potentially freeing Johnson to focus more on scoring. This shift could make the Hawks' offense even more versatile and dangerous, especially in a playoff setting.
Johnson is a capable defender, but improving on that end remains an area of focus. The team's 3-1 preseason record, including close wins over the Pacers (119-117) and Spurs (123-116), shows early positive signs. Their lone loss was a 132-123 result to the Memphis Grizzlies on October 5.
The immediate focus is the preseason finale on the road against the Dallas Mavericks on October 16. After that, the real work begins. Johnson's development from star to superstar is the central storyline for this team's ceiling. If he can translate his regular-season dominance to the playoffs, the Hawks will be a tough out.
Fans can track the team's progress and view the full regular season schedule on our schedule page. The blend of Johnson's elite talent and a supporting cast designed to maximize him makes Atlanta a fascinating team to watch as the new season tips off.
