Hawks' Quin Snyder Highlights Jalen Johnson's Key Improvement

The breakout forward has been a driving force behind Atlanta's second-half surge.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 7:22pm

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Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder praised forward Jalen Johnson's dramatic improvement this season, highlighting the 23-year-old's increased consistency, vision, and ability to play off the ball as key factors in his breakout campaign. Johnson, a first-time All-Star, has averaged over 22 points and 8 assists while shooting nearly 50% from the field and 35% from three-point range, putting him in elite company alongside Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic.

Why it matters

Johnson's development has been central to the Hawks' resurgence, as the team has won 18 of their last 20 games to solidify their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race. His continued growth could be crucial as Atlanta looks to make a deep postseason run.

The details

Snyder noted that Johnson has particularly excelled at embracing the 'simple things' that help the team win, such as running the floor, getting open, and making plays for his teammates. The coach also highlighted Johnson's improvement as a catch-and-shoot threat, which he believes has helped create more balance in the young star's offensive game.

  • Johnson was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for March, averaging 22.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists.
  • The Hawks hold a 1.5-game lead on the Toronto Raptors for the 5th seed in the East with 4 games remaining in the regular season.

The players

Jalen Johnson

A 23-year-old forward for the Atlanta Hawks who has emerged as a first-time NBA All-Star this season, averaging over 22 points and 8 assists per game while shooting nearly 50% from the field and 35% from three-point range.

Quin Snyder

The head coach of the Atlanta Hawks, who has overseen the team's second-half resurgence and praised Johnson's dramatic improvement as a key factor in the team's success.

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What they’re saying

“I'm excited for Jalen that he received public recognition for the job that he's done. That's been the case within our group, guys recognizing what he means to the team.”

— Quin Snyder, Head Coach, Atlanta Hawks

“I've told him I love that he's taking his catch-and-shoot three. Because I think that shot for him sets up a lot of other things in his game.”

— Quin Snyder, Head Coach, Atlanta Hawks

What’s next

If the season ended today, the Hawks would face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs.

The takeaway

Jalen Johnson's dramatic improvement this season, highlighted by his increased consistency, vision, and ability to play off the ball, has been a driving force behind the Atlanta Hawks' second-half resurgence. His continued growth could be crucial as the team looks to make a deep postseason run.