Jalen Johnson ignites Hawks' historic March run, dominating boards and playmaking to earn Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors.
Who else but Jalen Johnson to earn the prestigious Eastern Conference Player of the Month for March?
On Thursday, the Atlanta Hawks announced Jalen Johnson as the KIA Eastern Conference Player of the Month for his services last month.
Jalen Johnson is the first Hawks player to win POM honors since 2015. Due to the Hawks' torrid hot streak in March, which included an 11-game winning streak and an entire month without a home loss, this award was going to be won by an Atlanta Hawk.
Johnson's teammate, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, also had a very strong chance, but Johnson's ability to rebound and assist is probably what earned him the honors.
The Hawks went 13-2 in March, and Johnson averaged 22.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists over those 15 games.
In other news, Hawks head coach Quin Snyder also won the Coach of the Month award for March.
The NBA, especially the East, is officially on notice about the Atlanta Hawks. Their recent success can not be denied anymore, and you can no longer point to Atlanta playing inferior opponents.
For some teams across the NBA (Thunder, Spurs, Celtics, Pistons), a 13-2 record in a month might somewhat be the norm, but the Hawks started March as the 10th seed in the East, and have now soared into the fifth seed, and should escape the play-in purgatory that they've been used him.
But back to Jalen Johnson, who is the undeniable catalyst and leader for this Hawks team. Perhaps more impressive than Johnson's play on the court is how much of a team player he is.
Of course, he's going to get his fair share of shots in any given contest, but his ability to control the boards and be a true playmaker is what has been such a revelation for the Hawks this season.