Jalen Johnson produced a historic first half against the Denver Nuggets, recording a triple-double before halftime and finishing the night with 21 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists in a narrow Atlanta Hawks loss at State Farm Arena. The feat marked a franchise milestone, as Johnson became the first Hawks player to notch a triple-double in the first half of a game.
Johnson reached the mark quickly, compiling 11 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds before the break, with the triple-double coming in just over 16 and a half minutes of court time in the opening half. The night capped a blistering start for Atlanta, which built a sizable lead behind sharp ball movement and Johnson’s playmaking, before Denver rallied late to edge the Hawks in a one-point finish.
The final stat line underscored Johnson’s expanding role and versatility: 21 points on 9-of-20 shooting, 18 boards, and a career-high 16 assists, adding two steals against one of the league’s elite opponents. Despite the loss, his performance stood out on a busy NBA slate and drew league-wide attention.
JALEN JOHNSON WITH ANOTHER ABSURD STATLINE!
🔥 21 PTS
🔥 18 REB
🔥 16 AST (career-high)THE FIRST 15-15-15 GAME IN HAWKS HISTORY! pic.twitter.com/7mIywbRB9w
— NBA (@NBA) December 6, 2025
Johnson’s first-half triple-double also sparked conversation around its place in league history, with some outlets highlighting it as the second-fastest triple-double ever recorded, reflecting the unusual speed with which he reached the benchmark against the reigning champions. While historical rankings can vary by methodology, the consensus around the singular pace and timing of Johnson’s achievement added to the moment’s significance.
For Atlanta, the game was a study in peaks and pivots: a brilliant early stretch powered by Johnson’s orchestration, followed by a fourth-quarter stall as the Nuggets found their rhythm and closed with precision. For Johnson, the night crystallized an All-Star-caliber trajectory, pairing elite athleticism with a growing command of the offense that translated into one of the most eye-catching box scores of the season.
