Published for Hawks fans — October 2026
By Toxlay Sports Editorial Team · Last updated October 19, 2026
The Club
The Atlanta Hawks are True to Atlanta — and they’ve been that way since 1968. Founded in 1946, the franchise owns one NBA championship, the 1958 title won as the St. Louis Hawks over the Boston Celtics. They play at State Farm Arena in red, black and yellow, and their history runs from Bob Pettit to Dominique Wilkins — the Human Highlight Film — to the modern era. This franchise has always been about heart, hustle and highlight reels.
Last Season (2025-26): The Turnaround
Nobody saw it coming. At the deadline, Atlanta sat around .500 and looked headed for a fifth straight play-in — then the front office tore it down and the team took off. The Hawks traded Kristaps Porzingis to Golden State for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield, and then made the franchise-altering move: Trae Young was traded to the Washington Wizards on January 9 for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. What happened next was stunning — the Hawks went 20-6 after the All-Star break, ripped off an 11-game win streak (tied for the fourth-longest in franchise history), and finished 46-36: first in the Southeast Division, the No. 6 seed in the East. In the playoffs they took a 2-1 lead over the eventual champion New York Knicks — the only team in the entire postseason to beat New York twice — before falling in six. Jalen Johnson earned his first All-Star nod, Nickeil Alexander-Walker won Most Improved Player, and GM Onsi Saleh earned a promotion to president of basketball operations.
Best Players Right Now (2026-27 Roster)
Jalen Johnson, 24, Forward — The new face of the franchise. A career year — 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 7.9 assists — made him an All-Star and an All-NBA player. Everything runs through him now.
CJ McCollum, 35, Guard — The veteran leader. Came over in the Trae Young trade, re-signed for one year and $21 million, and was a playoff force against the Knicks.
Dyson Daniels, 23, Guard — The defensive menace. One of the league’s best perimeter stoppers; the heart of the new defensive identity.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 28, Guard — The reigning Most Improved Player on one of the best mid-level deals in the league; a two-way weapon.
Onyeka Okongwu, 25, Center — The anchor inside; his growth has been central to Atlanta’s rise.
Luguentz Dort, 27, Guard — The big summer add from Oklahoma City. Championship-tested perimeter defense; with Daniels, that’s a lethal 1-2 defensive punch.
Aaron Wiggins, 25, Wing — Arrived from the Thunder in the same cost-cutting moves that brought Dort; quality wing depth.
Dorian Finney-Smith, 33, Forward — Veteran 3-and-D forward added for depth and playoff steadiness.
Corey Kispert, 27, Guard — Sharpshooter who arrived in the Young trade; spacing off the bench.
Jock Landale, 30, Center — Re-signed for one year and $14 million; reliable backup big.
Kingston Flemings, 19, Guard — The No. 8 pick in the 2026 Draft out of Houston; the point guard of the future.
Head coach: Quin Snyder — Fifth season. He steered the midseason reinvention and has the deepest, most defensive roster of his Atlanta tenure.
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Star Spotlight: Stories You Should Know
The end of the Trae Young era. Seven and a half seasons, four All-Star selections, an All-NBA Third Team nod, an NBA assists title in 2024-25, and the unforgettable 2021 run to the Eastern Conference Finals. Trae Young leaves Atlanta as the franchise’s all-time leader in assists (4,837) and three-pointers (1,295) — and the only player in Hawks history to post 25 points and 20 assists in a single game. He signed a four-year, $212 million extension with Washington in June and calls Atlanta his “second home.” On November 6, he comes back to State Farm Arena for the first time. “Trae Day” will be emotional — and the Hawks’ trio of Dyson Daniels, Lu Dort and Nickeil Alexander-Walker will be waiting for him.
Jalen Johnson’s leap is real. When the franchise stopped trying to build around anyone else, Johnson exploded: 22.5/10.3/7.9, first All-Star selection, All-NBA honors, and the engine of a 20-6 finish. At 24, on a contract averaging about $30 million, he’s the cornerstone — and executives say Atlanta will be patient building around Johnson, Daniels, Okongwu and Alexander-Walker.
The streak that changed everything. After the Young trade, the Hawks won 20 of their final 26 games, including an 11-game win streak tied for the fourth-longest in franchise history. They clinched the Southeast Division and a playoff berth on April 10 with a win over Cleveland — their first non-play-in postseason since 2021. The new identity was born in those six weeks.
This Season (2026-27): Defense First in the A
Forget the old run-and-gun Hawks — this team is built to make life miserable for opposing guards. Vegas has the Hawks’ title odds at +6600, and USA Today projects 43-39, but the direction is unmistakable: Johnson driving everything, a brutal wing defense, and Quin Snyder’s deepest rotation yet. ESPN gave the offseason an A-, praising the bench upgrades (Dort and Wiggins) that raised the floor. With about $54 million in expiring salary, the front office also has room for a blockbuster if the moment comes. The ceiling question — half-court creation without a traditional star point guard — is what this season will answer.
Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming Games to Watch
Wondering when the Hawks play next? Here are the early-season dates to circle — grab your Hawks tickets early for these:
- October 21 — at Orlando Magic (opener, 7:00 PM): The season tips off on the road against a Southeast Division rival. First look at the new-look Hawks.
- October 24 — vs Houston Rockets (home opener, 8:30 PM, State Farm Arena): The home crowd’s first look at Jalen Johnson’s team. Expect a full house.
- October 28 — vs Miami Heat (home): Southeast Division rivalry — always heated, always physical.
- October 29 — vs Cleveland Cavaliers (home): Back-to-back nights against an East power. An early measuring stick.
- November 6 — vs Washington Wizards (home): TRAE DAY. Trae Young returns to Atlanta for the first time since the trade. The most emotional night of the season.
Biggest Rivalries — The Wars
1. New York Knicks — THE fresh wound. Atlanta took a 2-1 lead over the eventual champs in the first round — the only team to beat New York twice in the playoffs. The Garden visit on November 29 is circled.
2. Miami Heat — The Southeast Division war. Short flight, hostile buildings, and a rivalry that’s never friendly. October 28 at home, December 1 in Miami.
3. Boston Celtics — The 1958 Finals (Hawks won), the 2023 first-round loss, and now an NBA Cup showdown in Boston on November 27 that could decide East Group C.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers — The new East power comes to Atlanta on October 29 — and the Hawks clinched last season’s playoff berth by beating Cleveland on April 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Trae Young get traded by the Hawks?
Yes. The Hawks traded Trae Young to the Washington Wizards on January 9 for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, and he signed a four-year, $212 million extension with Washington in June.
When the Hawks play the Heat in 2026-27?
The Hawks host the Heat on October 28 at State Farm Arena, then visit Miami on December 1.
Who are the best Hawks players right now?
Jalen Johnson (All-Star and All-NBA), Dyson Daniels, reigning Most Improved Player Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and veteran CJ McCollum.
Who is the new face of the Hawks?
Jalen Johnson. He averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists last season, earned his first All-Star nod and All-NBA honors, and everything runs through him now.
Show Your Colors
True to Atlanta — at State Farm Arena or watching from home, true fans wear it. Gear up with quality fan sportswear — jerseys, tees and athletic wear built for real supporters:
Shop Fan Sportswear at Toxlay Sports →
Sources & official links: Atlanta Hawks official site · Atlanta Hawks tickets
True to Atlanta — the new era is here, and it plays defense.
