Today marks a significant milestone in Jalen Johnson’s career, as he has been named a reserve for the Eastern Conference All-Stars for the first time. This recognition comes at a pivotal moment for Johnson, who has stepped up as the top option for the Atlanta Hawks following Trae Young’s transition to the Washington D.C. team.
Currently, Johnson is enjoying a breakout season with career-high averages of 23.4 points, 8.1 assists, and 10.7 rebounds per game. He stands out as the only player this season to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. If he maintains these impressive averages, he could become only the fifth player in NBA history to achieve such a feat, joining the ranks of legends like Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain, Russell Westbrook, and Nikola Jokic.
Moreover, Johnson’s shooting statistics are remarkable, with a 50% field goal percentage, 36% from beyond the arc, and 78% from the free-throw line, culminating in a career-high 59% true shooting percentage. This follows a challenging period where injuries hindered his performance over the previous two seasons. So far this season, he has participated in 46 of 51 games and is ranked 11th in the league for minutes played, with a total of 1,636.
The All-Star reserves were chosen through a collaboration of fan, player, and media voting. Notably, this year’s All-Star game will adopt a unique format featuring three teams competing in a round-robin setup, consisting of two teams made up of U.S. players and one international team.
Congratulations to Jalen Johnson for this momentous achievement and for his continued contributions to the game. His hard work and dedication are inspiring, and fans are excited to see what he will accomplish as the season progresses.