ATLANTA — The Atlanta Hawks appeared to be on an upward trajectory after their surprising advance to the Eastern Conference finals in 2021.
However, what followed was an era of frustrating mediocrity, dragging the Hawks back into the familiar territory of middle-tier performance, which has often characterized their franchise history.
Currently, with a renewed focus on defense and a more robust roster featuring eight or nine reliable players, Atlanta is beginning to show encouraging signs again.
The Hawks recently triumphed over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, winning 134-132 in overtime, marking their sixth consecutive victory. This streak represents Atlanta’s longest winning run in almost three years.
“The main focus is to avoid complacency,” remarked Trae Young, who netted a game-winning three-pointer with just 7.4 seconds on the clock. “It’s easy to get too comfortable after stringing together a few wins and feeling good about where we are.”
Young had an impressive performance, contributing 31 points and 20 assists, effectively counterbalancing LeBron James’ 39 points and Anthony Davis’ 38.
A crucial factor in the Hawks’ recent success is the performance of the players surrounding Young. In their game against the Lakers, seven Hawks scored in double figures, including three bench players. De’Andre Hunter, who has transitioned smoothly into a sixth-man role after recovering from a knee injury, scored 26 points and attracted a double team that freed Young for his decisive three-pointer.
“This hasn’t just been a one-time occurrence,” Young emphasized. “Even when we faced some losses, we had multiple players contributing. With everyone healthy now, we’ve found a good rhythm.”
After Hunter sustained an injury early in the season, the Hawks incorporated No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher into the starting five. Although the 19-year-old French talent is still developing, bringing Hunter off the bench has yielded positive results. He is currently averaging over 19 points per game and remains a standout on the defensive front.
Additionally, Dyson Daniels, who joined the Hawks in a significant trade that sent Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans, has proven to be an unexpected asset. While his performance in New Orleans was underwhelming, the tall 6-foot-8 guard has emerged as a critical defensive player for Atlanta. In the recent overtime win, he made pivotal plays, including a crucial steal on a careless bounce pass from Davis to James.
Although that particular play did not directly lead to points — as James made a remarkable defensive recovery to block Daniels — he continued to contribute by tying up Davis for a jump ball. The Hawks eventually gained a final opportunity when James inadvertently knocked the ball out of bounds in a scramble with Hunter.
Young capitalized on this chance, sealing the game for Atlanta. “It’s all about effort,” Hunter stated. “That’s the essence of Dyson’s game. I aim to play in a similar fashion. In crunch time, we need those defensive plays, and Dyson and I, as the premier defensive players on the team, must deliver.”
The Hawks, however, still need to solidify that this current winning streak is not another fleeting moment. “The real challenge ahead,” Young observed, “is finding a way to maintain our defensive intensity while allowing our offense to flourish naturally and fostering teamwork.”
