Explosive dunker Jalen Johnson dodges Dunk Contest talk as his All-Star caliber play commands Hawks' focus and future.
With the NBA Slam Dunk Contest approaching on February 14, the conversation around potential participants has opened up in a rare way. Three-time reigning champion Mac McClung has already confirmed he will not defend his title, leaving the field wide open and fans searching for a new headliner.
One name that keeps surfacing is Jalen Johnson. The Atlanta Hawks forward has built a reputation as one of the league’s most explosive in-game dunkers, combining size, bounce, and creativity.
But when asked directly whether he would consider entering the contest, Johnson declined to engage.
“I don’t got no comment on that. No comment,” he said during media availability.
The non-answer was telling, especially given the timing. Johnson is not just a highlight dunker anymore. He is playing his way into legitimate All-Star reserve consideration, averaging a career-high 23.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 8.0 assists across 43 games.
That kind of production tends to shift priorities, and recent league history suggests most All-Stars prefer to sit the dunk contest out.
Since 2017, only one All-Star has participated in the event, and the contest has increasingly featured rookies and G League players instead. Last year’s field reflected that trend, and Johnson’s hesitation fits the broader pattern.
Additionally, after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in January 2025, caution remains part of the equation. With Atlanta hovering around the Play-In picture at 22–25, the Hawks need Johnson healthy and fully focused on the second half of the season more than they need a weekend showcase.
That importance has only grown as Johnson’s role has expanded. Over the past few weeks, he has looked less like an athletic complementary piece and more like a franchise cornerstone. A recent 23-point, 18-rebound performance against the Phoenix Suns underscored the point.
These are not empty numbers. Johnson has been consistently impacting games on both ends, scoring inside, controlling the glass, and defending multiple positions.
Head coach Quin Snyder has quietly adjusted the offense to reflect that reality. Since the roster shakeup earlier in the season, Atlanta has played with more structure and purpose, particularly late in games. Even against shorthanded opponents, the Hawks have shown a better ability to close, control tempo, and exploit mismatches.
Johnson’s emergence is central to that progress. What once looked like a transitional season is starting to resemble a recalibration around a new focal point. Atlanta is still finding its footing, but there is now a clear direction, and Johnson is leading it.