Johnson's historic triple-doubles place him with LeBron and Jokić, showcasing a rapid, game-changing surge for the Atlanta Hawks.
Jalen Johnson’s rise reached another benchmark this weekend as the Atlanta Hawks forward delivered one of the fastest triple-doubles in NBA history and became the youngest forward since LeBron James in 2008 to record triple-doubles on consecutive nights.
Johnson’s latest surge, capped by back-to-back all-around performances rarely seen from a player his age or position, has pushed him into a historical tier occupied by only two names: LeBron and Nikola Jokić.
The inflection point came Friday, when Johnson reached a triple-double in just 16 minutes, 44 seconds — the second-fastest in league history. Only Jokić, who set the record at 14:33 in 2018, has ever done it quicker. The 23-year-old followed that performance with another triple-double Saturday, becoming the youngest forward since LeBron’s 2008 run to accomplish the feat in consecutive games.
The Hawks, who have leaned on Johnson’s expanded role with Trae Young out, used those performances to steady themselves in the Eastern Conference race. His blend of transition play, rebounding, improved shooting and a rapidly advancing playmaking arsenal has reshaped Atlanta’s offense, giving the team a second initiator who can control tempo and pressure opponents in multiple ways.
Hawks coach Quin Snyder said Johnson’s development reflects a commitment to refining his game at every level.
Snyder, placing Johnson’s leap in context, pointed to the preparation behind the production.
“It’s reflective of a guy that’s done a lot of work that we need to make a lot of plays for us,” Snyder said. “The triple-doubles, like the statistics, are great. But he wants to win and there’s more there. He can continue to become more efficient, because we need him to be that.”
Johnson’s acceleration into the league’s elite statistical company comes as no surprise inside the Hawks organization, but the rapid progression has shifted league-wide perception. What began as a promising jump last season has now evolved into a sustained breakout, with his size, speed and shot growth driving a drastically expanded offensive workload.
After Saturday’s win, Johnson said the record-setting stretch mattered most because it translated into team success.
“Yesterday was cool, but tonight was more important because we got the win,” Johnson said. “It was just a great group effort, and like I said before, it’s just a product of my teammates hitting shots and everybody making the game much easier for me.”
With the Hawks fighting for positioning and Young still recovering, Johnson’s ascent has become central to Atlanta’s identity. His place alongside Jokić and LeBron in the record books underscores just how quickly that rise has come — and hints at where it may be heading next.