Five gifts the Duke basketball program needs for Christmas

Duke basketball Christmas gift: A healthy Jalen Johnson

After the Blue Devils played their best game without Jalen Johnson on the floor, thoughts started to emerge that Duke could be better without its most touted freshman prospect.

That’s not true, and anyone who thinks that needs to reevaluate things.

Yes, not having Johnson on the floor will give others an opportunity to handle the ball more and become more comfortable in the offensive and defensive system of Mike Krzyzewski, but Duke is still a better team with arguably its best all-around player on the court.

Through four games, the Wisconsin native is averaging 11.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game.

Johnson is shooting 54.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from 3-point range.

The 6-foot-9 forward demonstrated that he is the only player on Duke’s roster in the young season that can take the ball in an isolation set and get to the basket when the offense has stalled or is stagnant, which was the case in his four games.

ESPN play-by-play broadcaster Bob Wischusen reported during Duke’s win over Notre Dame that Johnson is in a walking boot and would be reevaluated with another MRI in 2-3 weeks, meaning it could be a while before he steps on the floor again.

Regardless of what that MRI shows, Duke needs Jalen Johnson to heal quickly in order to try and find some continuity in the middle of ACC play.