The Atlanta Hawks had much higher expectations for this season. 

With the Eastern Conference wide open, they were expected to emerge as contenders. Instead, they have struggled to find a consistent rhythm. A seven-game losing streak in late December dragged them below .500 and down the standings, and the timing has been impossible to ignore. Their slide began the moment Trae Young, their franchise point guard and four-time All-Star, returned from a 22-game absence.

Before his return, Atlanta was quietly steady. The Hawks were 15–12 and sitting seventh in the East, playing a brand of basketball that felt more balanced, more connected, with Jalen Johnson leading the charge. Since then, their record has slipped to 17–19, good for 10th place, and the contrast has sparked difficult conversations—none more significant than the rise of Johnson.

Young has missed the Hawks’ last three games, and once again, the results have shifted. After an understandable loss to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta responded with back-to-back double-digit wins over two legitimate contenders–the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks. In both victories, Johnson was the team’s defining presence.

Against Minnesota, the 24-year-old forward delivered a masterclass with 34 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a block. Two nights later, he followed it up with a triple-double—18 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, and two steals—to beat New York at Madison Square Garden. These performances swung these games in Atlanta’s favor and were far from empty statlines.

Johnson’s emergence has been a consistent source of strength for the Hawks this season. He has been brilliant from opening day, averaging 24 points, 10.4 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game—a remarkable comeback after his campaign last year was cut short in January by a shoulder injury. 

December, in particular, was a statement month. In his 12 December games, Johnson averaged a triple-double, posting 25.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 10.1 assists. Furthermore, he already has seven triple-doubles this season, trailing only Nikola Jokic.

There is a growing composure to Johnson’s game that feels increasingly central to Atlanta’s identity. He plays with a controlled pace, is more than comfortable running their offense, and makes all the right reads. His impact extends beyond the box score too through his intangible contributions, especially on the defensive end. 

With Young sidelined, the Hawks have been able to insert the defensive-minded Nickeil Alexander-Walker into the starting lineup. The numbers show a stark difference: a net rating of -6.1 in games with Young, compared to +1.7 in games without him.

Johnson is on pace to make his first NBA All-Star team, and the question now hovering over Atlanta is unavoidable. Is this still Trae Young’s team—or has it begun to transition into Jalen Johnson’s?

The answer remains complicated–for now

Young’s ball-dominant style and defensive limitations are well-documented, yet moving on from a player of his stature midseason is easier said than done, particularly given the lack of a clear market for his services at this point in time.

What is clear, however, is Johnson’s upward trajectory. He has become a bona fide star for Atlanta and as this team continues to thrive without Young, their front office may soon have to make some difficult decisions. This future with Johnson at the helm is a promising one and the only remaining question is whether this franchise’s leadership is ready to embrace it.