Hawks' Jalen Johnson sets the world on fire with full-speed dunk

Atlanta forward's vicious throwdown against the Magic draws huge reactions online.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a recent game between the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic, Hawks forward Jalen Johnson threw down a massive uncontested dunk after a quick pass from teammate CJ McCollum. The highlight-reel play drew enthusiastic reactions from fans on social media, with many praising Johnson's athleticism and the exciting brand of basketball the Hawks are playing this season.

Why it matters

The Hawks have been on a roll lately, winning 9 straight games and climbing to 9th place in the Eastern Conference standings. Plays like Johnson's high-flying dunk showcase the team's young talent and the growing basketball culture in Atlanta, which has fans excited about the team's potential heading into the playoffs.

The details

With just over 2 minutes left in the 2nd quarter, Hawks veteran guard CJ McCollum drove baseline and attracted multiple Orlando defenders. McCollum then quickly fired a pass to Johnson, who was cutting hard to the basket from the opposite side. Johnson caught the pass and threw down a massive uncontested dunk, showcasing his impressive leaping ability.

  • The dunk occurred with just over 2 minutes left in the 2nd quarter of the March 17, 2026 game between the Hawks and Magic.

The players

Jalen Johnson

A forward for the Atlanta Hawks who threw down the highlight-reel dunk against the Magic.

CJ McCollum

A veteran guard for the Atlanta Hawks who made the pass to Johnson leading to the dunk.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Jalen Johnson's electrifying dunk showcases the young talent and exciting brand of basketball the Atlanta Hawks are bringing to the court this season. As the team continues its push towards the playoffs, plays like this are helping to build a special basketball culture in the city and get fans energized about the team's potential.