Johnson was the Hawks' star throughout 2025-26. He needs to maintain that production in the playoffs
The NBA playoffs are a proving ground. We can see what players are made of. The stakes are high, and it's interesting to see how players respond. That's especially true for younger players.
That said, we should avoid overreacting to performances. The playoffs can provide plenty of small-sample theatre. Nobody should overreact to a handful of games.
Still, it would be fair to say that if the Atlanta Hawks are going to defeat the New York Knicks, they're going to need more from Jalen Johnson.
Atlanta Hawks' star needs to step up
In 2025-26, Johnson emerged as a superstar. He averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game with a 4.2 Box Plus/Minus (BPM).
It's not that he's been bad in the postseason. He simply hasn't been as productive as he was in the regular season. In four games, he's averaging 19.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists with a modest 1.0 BPM.
It's not just the counting stats. The Knicks are daring Johnson to shoot, and it's paying off. He's never been a three-point sniper, but with a 28.6% mark from deep, Johnson isn't punishing New York from deep. That makes him considerably easier to guard in the half-court.
It's the same old story. Non-shooting, transition-heavy point forwards don't always translate in the postseason. When the game slows down, they struggle.
What can Johnson do to improve his performance?
Jalen Johnson needs new ways to attack
That question can be framed two different ways: In the short-term, and in the long-term.
In the short-term, his options are limited. Johnson can try to function more as a dribble hand-off hub. That would help him get teammates involved.
In the long run, he'll need to improve his shot. Johnson needs to be able to reliably score in half-court settings for postseason maximization. That could mean improving his handle so he can get to his spots more easily.
There's no reason to be alarned. CJ McCollum (24.5 points per game) has been picking up the slack. Moreover, even if the Hawks did lose this series, they'd call their season a success. They're young and well-positioned for the future. With a potentially high lottery pick incoming, they'll be able to improve the team ahead of 2026-27 and beyond.
Still, it's something to keep an eye on. Johnson was the team's engine during the regular season. If he can't serve the same function in the playoffs, it'll be a problem.
In time, he'll need to prove that's not a concern.