The wait is finally over; it’s time for the highly anticipated 2026-27 season. Fans all over the globe are excited to see the new crop of talent from last summer’s draft and their favorite superstars return to the floor.
For Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, he’ll have to prove he’s worthy of this title as he prepares for a full 82-game season as a No. 1 option. Luckily for the young All-Star, the team's December schedule will provide Johnson with a litany of litmus tests.
Atlanta will face numerous contenders in December
It’s already cold in the inner city, and we’re not even past Thanksgiving yet. So, Atlanta residents are bound for a cold December, but at least Johnson will be hot on the court.
His preseason performances proved he’s ready to play. The 24-year-old finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in 20 minutes in a 119-117 win against the Indiana Pacers on October 10.
He followed it up with an even better performance against the Dallas Mavericks six days later. It only took 25 minutes for Johnson to produce 20 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block.
Now, it's time to put his refined skills to the test. Atlanta’s December gauntlet kicks off against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. Facing the best player on the planet, with Aaron Gordon down low, will certainly offer resistance for Jalen.
The Nuggets will likely be a top-five seed, and the two teams battled them last season, splitting the series 1-1. It will be their first of two meetings on the 17th, and it’ll be the Hawks’ 24th game of the season, so we’ll have a sufficient sample size before they face the former champions.
Jalen will face old foes and new challenges
Following their skirmish against the Nuggets, the Hawks will soar back home to face Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic. Johnson and Banchero have gone back and forth the last two seasons.
Since they're both in the Southeast Division, the two former Blue Devils duke it out regularly. However, the Hawks swept the Magic last season four to zero, widening the gap between the young cores.
Those who watch the one-on-one matchup have seen Johnson get the upper hand lately. Banchero averaged 15.5 points, eight rebounds, and four assists per game. It’s objectively inferior to Johnson’s 17.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and seven assists.
Facing Orlando is always a good litmus test for whether the Hawks are truly rising in the East, and it’ll be a healthy appetizer for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gave the Hawks major issues last season.
The two-time MVP averaged 34.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in two games against Atlanta. He’s bound to get his every night, but this meeting will see another star matchup for Jalen Johnson. Chet Holmgren is a world-class defender, and the 7’1" All-Star will give Johnson adversity in the interior.
We also can’t forget about Isaiah Hartenstein. So, it’ll be difficult for the Hawks to secure the victory, but the matchup will show us how Johnson fares against a true championship contender.
The Pistons, Hornets, and Spurs will give Jalen more valuable opportunities
Playing the Thunder on a back-to-back will take a physical toll on the young Hawks, but at least travel won't be a factor. While families fly across the country to join loved ones for the holiday season, the Hawks will face Cade Cunningham and his cadre of Detroit Pistons.
Cunningham and Jalen Duren will only improve as the years progress, and Duren just signed a five-year contract extension.
The two All-Stars will be together for a while, and Johnson must prove he’s up to par with Cade. It’s rather cinematic since Cunningham was the No. 1 overall pick in Jalen’s draft, and the Hawks can’t go deep in the playoffs without defeating Cade.
Ironically, after facing the Pistons, the Hawks will take a dip in competition as they face the Charlotte Hornets in the next game. If Johnson performs well against the Pistons, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t dominate the rebuilding Hornets.
He must prove he's the best player on the floor, especially since Charlotte traded away their only All-Star last season, LaMelo Ball, to the Minnesota Timberwolves. After finishing their four-game homestand, they’ll fly to San Antonio to face the Spurs on December 27th.
Many pundits believe Victor Wembanyama will take home the 2027 MVP award. He's due for a big season. The 22-year-old Frenchman has lived up to the hype as a generational talent, and Johnson will likely face him at some point if the Hawks make the Finals within the next few years.
Both teams will meet twice this season, so Jalen must make the most of the experience. If he’s the second-best player on the court behind Wembanyama, his performance will speak volumes heading into the new year.
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