AJ Johnson's first sixteen games of the 2025-26 season were defined by empty garbage-time minutes and a glaring inability to positively affect the game. When he finally earned a nine-minute run on 11/08 vs CLE, he posted a brutal -13.1 impact score, dragged down by poor shot selection as he bricked three of his four attempts. For months, his appearances were nothing more than brief, unproductive cardio sessions at the end of blowouts. He finally saw a season-high 16 minutes on 01/01 vs MIL, tallying eight points on efficient 3-for-5 shooting. Yet, even with his perimeter shots falling, his impact score remained a negative -3.7 because he failed to grab a single rebound and offered zero secondary playmaking to offset his defensive limitations. Two days later, during a 14-minute stint on 01/03 vs BKN, that brief scoring flash vanished completely. Johnson shot a dismal 1-for-6 from the field against Brooklyn, resulting in a -7.6 impact score that highlighted his overall offensive instability. Until the young guard can figure out how to generate value when his shot isn't falling, his minutes will stay firmly restricted.

AJ Johnson spent the middle of the season trapped in a brutal cycle of erratic minutes and empty production. Even when he finally found his offensive rhythm on 02/01 vs SAC, pouring in 17 points over 27 minutes, his overall footprint remained a damaging -5.6 Impact. That empty-calorie scoring masked severe defensive lapses and an inability to elevate the second unit. His shot selection was often his worst enemy. This glaring flaw peaked during an abysmal 01/12 vs PHX outing where he bricked all six of his field goals to post a staggering -11.7 Impact in just 10 minutes. He looked completely lost. Yet, Johnson occasionally found ways to contribute without dominating the ball, notably on 01/10 vs NOP. Despite scoring just six points, he grabbed six rebounds and created enough extra possessions through sheer hustle to grind out a +1.5 Impact.