With their backs against the wall facing elimination in their home building, the Atlanta Hawks delivered one of the most embarrassing playoff performances in NBA history.
As someone that was in the building, I wish that was hyperbole. The Knicks led by 25 at the end of one and 47 at halftime. They scored 100 points before the Hawks even reached 50, and the final score read 140-89 — a 51-point defeat to end what had been such a promising and surprising campaign in Atlanta.
Most reasonable fans would have accepted a first-round loss to the Knicks in six games, especially if you told them that back in January, when it looked like the Hawks were tearing things down following the trade of Trae Young to the Wizards. But to go out like this — tail tucked between the legs and spanked in three straight games — it leaves a sour taste that, at least temporarily, makes it difficult to appreciate what was ultimately a very positive step in the right direction for the organization.
Jalen Johnson established himself as an All-NBA caliber player with the potential to lead this franchise moving forward. Nickeil Alexander-Walker was a breath of fresh air in his first season and will continue to be an integral piece on a manageable contract. Dyson Daniels, despite his offensive inefficiencies, put together another fantastic campaign, and Onyeka Okongwu took a step in the right direction as well.
Nobody expected this group to do anything without Trae Young, and they still managed to finish as one of the top six teams in the Eastern Conference.
But above all — when you look at this last calendar year and what it’s done to set the Hawks up for the future — the only thing to do is smile.
The Trae Young trade, while it stung, has put Atlanta in a position where they can aggressively pursue any free agent or trade target that makes sense.
Even more encouraging, the Hawks are staring at a potential top pick in a loaded draft class, holding an unprotected first-round selection (most favorable of New Orleans/Milwaukee). That pick carries a 43.2% chance of landing in the top four and nearly a 10% chance at No. 1 overall, making May 10th one of the most important dates in franchise history given the talent at the top of this class.
No bad contracts, a talented young core that’s already proven it can reach the playoffs on its own, tons of cap space, and a potential top-five pick in one of the most loaded drafts in recent memory. 95% of the league would dream of being in the position the Hawks find themselves in today.
The 2025-2026 squad overachieved. Onsi Saleh made lemonade out of lemons, and Quin Snyder did an admirable job guiding a talented young core back to the postseason. Their ceiling was reached, but that ceiling is about to rise significantly over the next several months.
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(Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire)
