Jaylen Johnson reveals his ‘best friend’ during a string of assists

ATLANTA, Georgia – Just a few days ago, Atlanta The hawks found themselves in a deep hole against the Washington Wizards, a team that had just one win on the season. The Hawks had no answer for CJ McCollum or anyone else on the team, and their chances of advancing to the NBA Cup were diminished.

It was a quiet night for Jalen Johnsonas he finished that game with seven points, seven rebounds and seven assists. The only way to shake off the taste of a 132-113 loss is to go back in the next game and play better, and that’s what Johnson and the Hawks did, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-123.

Johnson continued his triple-double weeks with a triple-double, finishing with 29 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists. He did everything right during the game, whether it was getting to the free throw line, grabbing a key rebound or making the right pass. It was also the 10th straight game in which Johnson finished with seven or more assists.

“The game keeps slowing down,” Johnson said after the game. “I’m seeing different coverages in different games, so it gives me an opportunity to keep building and keep learning from each game. The way I was guarded last game was different than the way I was guarded this game. Different sizes on the linebackers and all that. It’s just been a growth process.

“Film has been my best friend, so I’m constantly trying to learn from it and try to get better.”

Head coach Quin Snyder was impressed with Johnson’s play during this stretch, and one thing stood out for him late in the game.

“I think his late defensive rebound really made the difference,” Snyder said. “And they were really timely. Those are still opportunities we have to take to get late, and a lot of times those are the best shots we can get.”

Although Johnson stole the show, it took a complete team effort to beat a quality opponent like the Cavaliers.

The Hawks hit big shots late to shut out the Cavaliers

Entering the fourth quarter, the Hawks were in control until Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers started heating up from the perimeter. With less than five minutes left in the game, the Cavaliers had a three-point lead, but the Hawks kept going and eventually took the lead back at one point.

With 1:20 remaining and the game tied, Onyeka Okongwu won a rebound off Jarrett Allen, and 11 seconds later Johnson found Zachary Rizaher in the corner for a 3-pointer to give the Hawks the lead. Then they got a stop, and Johnson found Nikhil Alexander-Walker for a wide-open 3-pointer to give the Hawks a six-point lead. From there, the Hawks sealed the game.

“The way he’s been passing has been unbelievable since Trey’s been out,” Alexander-Walker said of Johnson. “The things he does for us; watching the floor, everything is simple, he doesn’t rush. He’s been incredible at that, and I think the more we can stay at that, the better.”

The Hawks are 6-4 in clutch games, and have been finding ways to win of late. Johnson has one reason for the turnaround.

“The stops. Just the stops were what was huge,” Johnson said. “When we get more stops at the end of games, I think that was a major factor in our victory.”

“I have a friend who says, ‘Life comes at you fast,’ and it’s really true when you look at it,” Alexander-Walker said. “You have a game like Washington, and you have 36 assists tonight, and guys are shooting, stopping, running, playing to our strengths, being ourselves, and it’s just about how we can consistently do our best.”