Why Tree Young and Jaylen Johnson’s relationship is so unstoppable

The Atlanta Hawks they’ve had some hiccups over the past few weeks, but hopefully things will start to pick up again. One of the reasons for that optimism should be the return to Trae Young, who is still getting used to it team after missing more than a month due to injury.

Young had one of his best games since returning, where he scored 35 points against the Chicago Bulls. Jaylen Johnson, who took over the reins without Young, he also had a good game, finishing with 36 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Late in the game, Young and Johnson played against each other, and it showed a glimpse of what’s to come when the two are on the floor together consistently.

After the game, Young talked about connecting with Johnson, and he sees how both of their skill sets can be an asset to the team moving forward.

“Me and Jalen had a relationship since the beginning of last year,” Young said. “Before he got hurt last year, we were a really good team. We had a really good connection because if you double me and I’m able to throw it to Jalen, he can make plays out of the double team or in the middle of the pocket and find others. That’s the name of the game. How many guys on the team can draw two (defensive backs)?”

The Hawks were able to have a lot of success early last season when Johnson was healthy because of the attention he attracted. That made it easier for everyone, including Young, who turned into more of a playmaker than a scorer.

Trae Young, Jaylen Johnson can make life easier for the Hawks

Young is already seeing visions of what the Hawks can be with him and Johnson on the floor, and he detailed their pairing and what it can do for the team.

“You can create an advantage and make a four-on-three on the back end. That’s the name of the game,” Young said. “And then everybody else just has to get out of it and you have to live with the results. So when you have a guy like Jalen who, if I come off a screen and they double, now you have to pick and choose. You just get more reps with each other in the game.”

“This is our fifth game together this year, and then we have other guys around us that we have to continue to bring in that can play outside of me and Jalen. Obviously, we want to play with Jalen and I as much as we can because he creates so many advantages for us. I just have to continue to get him the ball in the right spots.”

The Hawks have the right pieces surrounding Young and Johnson to play, and as the season progresses, things should continue to develop at an even faster rate.

“I think everybody is excited to have Trae back,” Johnson said. “He’s been out for a while, so the fact that he found his groove already in the second game is a good sign. We’re just going to keep building with each other, keep getting our chemistry together and keep getting reps.”