Jonas Valančiūnas

As the NBA’s No. 1-ranked team in both possessions featuring a screen, and points scored by screeners, the Atlanta Hawks won’t find many pick-and-roll variations that they haven’t punished opponents with. But in a head-to-head against Jonas Valančiūnas and his 13-year run of artistry around the rim, even they had met their match on October 30, 2024. Confident in working the Washington Wizards through a somewhat-unorthodox set, Valančiūnas organizes the offense from the top of the key, ultimately settling on a handoff-and-screen that positions him for a short roll, and a quickly-drawn double team. Unbothered, even with Trae Young and Onyeka Oknogwu encircling him, Valančiūnas stays a step ahead, keeping Atlanta’s defense guessing by keeping the ball high and threatening the idea of a pass before powering through a one-handed flush. Valančiūnas’ poised play proved key in the Wizards’ high-scoring victory, with the versatile big tallying 22 off-the-bench points (on 8-of-10 shooting), alongside eight rebounds and six assists.