Jalen Johnson is among the most exciting young forwards in the NBA, and it’s not up for debate.<\/p>\n
The 6-foot-8 former first-round pick\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Johnson, who\u2019s playing exceptionally well to begin the 2025-26 campaign, recently made basketball history<\/a> the NBA has never seen.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cJalen Johnson is the youngest forward in NBA history to record a 20\/15\/15 game,\u201d Real Sports stated on X\/Twitter after the 23-year-old’s 21-point, 18-rebound, and 16-assist performance against the Denver Nuggets<\/a> on Friday.\u00a0<\/p>\n Although wins haven\u2019t come easily for the Trae Young-less Hawks<\/a> (Young’s dealing with a right knee injury), the franchise should be encouraged by their 2021 No. 20 overall pick\u2019s progression in a Hawks uniform.\u00a0<\/p>\n Johnson has always been an explosive one-footed leaper who\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Impressively, Johnson has finally proven he can be a formidable threat beyond the arc, as he\u2019s averaging 23.1 and 10.4 rebounds while shooting 53.3% from the field and 40.5% from three in 21 outings.<\/p>\n The Duke product will get an opportunity to build on his advantageous momentum when the 13-11 Hawks face the 3-18 Washington Wizards<\/a> at Capitol One Arena on Saturday night.<\/p>\n