Time Matters for AJ Griffin On & Off the Court

Atlanta Hawks rookie AJ Griffin is acutely aware about the importance of time.

With 7:47 remaining in the first half of Wednesday's lopsided loss to the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan pulled AJ Griffin off the court. The rookie, who acts as an offensive microwave, would not see action again until 3:37 left in the third quarter. 

Griffin went on to score eight points in eight minutes during the second half, but the conundrum still exists - time is of the essence for the 19-year-old (on and off the floor). 

One of the few bright spots of Atlanta's subpar season has been the play of their 2022 first-round pick. The team's shocking dropoff in offensive production catapulted Griffin into his old-school coach's rotation. Griffin has averaged 9.3 points in 20 minutes per game, highlighted by his 39.4% three-point shooting percentage. 

Factor in a few game-winning buzzer-beaters, and it's easy to see why Griffin is the only player representing Atlanta at this year's NBA All-Star weekend festivities in Salt Lake City, Utah. Yet, time remains a dominant factor in Griffin's life. 

Atlanta has 23 games remaining and recently acquired 23-year-old wing Saddiq Bey at the trade deadline to bolster their shaky second unit. Griffin's playing time has already taken a hit in Bey's two games with the team, and McMillan's rotation will only shrink as he rides his starters down the final stretch of the regular season.

Griffin is a fervent believer that we are living in the end times. "I want to let you know that time is short," explained Griffin on a TikTok he posted on January 29. "You know, it feels like Jesus Chris is coming sooner than we think... I personally think, you know, within months or weeks... It's imminent."

A little over a week later, Griffin discussed the rapture and predicted, "Jesus Christ is coming back, and I need you guys to know that, you know, the government or whoever is going to try to cover up and it was aliens and UFOs, but it was really Jesus Christ coming back for his church."

Trae Young pours water on AJ Griffin / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Despite feeling that level of urgency, Griffin has not let the pressure impact his game. Chalk it up to his rock-solid faith or liquidy jump shot, but Griffin still carries himself with a level of confidence and levity that the most seasoned professional players cannot reach.

Atlanta ranks 21st in defensive rating and points allowed per game. While Griffin possesses the intangibles (size, speed, IQ, and a coach's son to boot), he is still feeling his way out on defense and learning on the job.

By every metric, Griffin is the team's best outside shooter and most reliable reserve player. He just needs time on the court to develop. With 23 games left on the schedule and the direction of Atlanta's franchise in doubt, McMillan needs to have faith in Griffin.