The Atlanta Hawks tipped off their preseason action on Oct. 5 with a 123-132 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at State Farm Arena. However, when it comes to preseason hoops, the process is often much more important than the final result. This was exactly the case with Jalen Johnson's game last night.
Johnson shows promise despite a muted box score on the surface
Coaches and players experiment with new lineups and skills throughout the preseason. For example, Kingston Flemings and Asa Newell, a rookie and a second-year player, led the team in minutes against Memphis. Johnson played 18 minutes, all of which came in the first half, but he displayed improvements that could take his game to another level.
He ended the contest with eight points, five rebounds, three assists, and a steal. The Hawks' star shot just 1-of-7 from the field and missed his three 3-pointers. However, Atlanta fans should not be concerned about Johnson's poor shooting night. He converted at an efficient 48.9% from the field last season.
Instead, Hawks fans should focus on how Johnson forced Memphis to put him at the charity stripe. He cashed in a game-high six free throws with perfect efficiency. The All-Star forward shot 78.8% from the free-throw line on 5.3 attempts in 2025-26, which led the team.
Johnson frequently put his head down and drove against Cam Boozer, Jerami Grant, Taylor Hendricks, and GG Jackson. The Grizzlies could not stop Johnson from getting into the teeth of their defense and forcing the issue.
Johnson is taking steps to improve his half-court offensive repertoire
Last season, Johnson averaged career numbers across the board and dominated when he got out in transition. However, he struggled when teams forced the Hawks to play half-court offense. This allowed teams to expose his loose handle and lack of burst out of the triple-threat standstill. Encouragingly, he showed signs of improvement in these areas against Memphis.
With under five minutes left in the first quarter, Jock Landale set an off-ball screen for Johnson on the right wing. Nickeil Alexander-Walker gave the star forward the ball, and Johnson immediately drove straight to the rim, evading Scotty Pippen Jr.'s attempted dig from the free-throw line. Jackson could only foul the Hawks' star to prevent the bucket.
Johnson also added a possession in the opening minute where he started on the ball. Dyson Daniels set an on-ball screen, which Johnson rejected to preserve a mismatch with Ty Jerome. Without any hesitation, Johnson drove into the smaller Jerome's chest, making his way into the paint for an easy ten-foot jumper.
These decisive, on-ball half-court possessions are exactly what Johnson needs to take another leap in the 2026-27 campaign.
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