Where the Peaches Grow | Atlanta Hawks

[six7]

Where the Peaches Grow
Atlanta Hawks Basketball
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Index

[six7]

Where the Peaches Grow
Atlanta Hawks Basketball
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[six7]

Where the Peaches Grow
Atlanta Hawks Basketball
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Saved

[six7]

Where the Peaches Grow
Atlanta Hawks Basketball
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[six7]

Where the Peaches Grow
Atlanta Hawks Basketball
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FEB 18, 2026
New Look Hawks Feeling Refreshed After All-Star Break, Geared For Playoff Push

How did we get here? Plus two big questions Atlanta faces ahead of the season’s final push.

ATLANTA -- As we enter the home stretch of the 2025-26 NBA season, there’s no denying that it’s been a topsy-turvy couple of months for the Atlanta Hawks. At the end of November, Atlanta’s record stood at 13-8, they had picked up nine wins in their last twelve outings and were sitting as the five-seed in the East – perched above teams like Boston, Cleveland and Philadelphia in the conference standings.

Now, 11 weeks and 22 losses later, I wouldn’t blame you for wondering whether that late November surge will be remembered as the apex of the Hawks season.

December was not kind to Atlanta, and in retrospect, proved to be a watershed month for the franchise. Amid a nebulous, illness-related absence for Kristaps Porzingis, as well as an unsuccessful attempt to reintegrate Trae Young into the lineup, Atlanta managed just three wins in their next 14 games, slipping all the way down to the 10-seed in the East, now at 26-30.



Atlanta is a team that has undergone a lot of change in one season. They came into the year with high expectations, but guys like Trae Young, Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard, and Vit Krejci are no longer on the roster and CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert, Jock Landale, Jonathan Kuminga, Gabe Vincent and Buddy Hield are now on the team.

Let's take a closer look at Atlanta's main rotation...

G Dyson Daniels

Daniels is still struggling shooting the three pointer, but he has had to take on more on-ball responsibilities and done a fine job. He is still efficient in the paint and has gotten better as a passer and lead ball handler. Is this his perfect role? No, but I think he is playing it well and don't let the three-point percentage distract you from that.

G Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Alexander-Walker has been arguably the top free agent signing of the season. As a starter, he is averaging over 20.0 PPG and has been one of the Hawks best shooters from three this season. He is on a great contract and should be a part of the Hawks rotation going forward.

F Zaccharie Risacher

Risacher has not had the sophomore season that many Hawks fans were hoping for. He has been injured for parts of it, but he is not excelling at any one thing. He has been an average three point shooter, does not do much with the ball in his hands, is a below average passer, and an average rebounder and defender. Does that mean it is time to bail on him? No, but the former No. 1 pick is not playing with confidence and has been underwhelming.

F Jalen Johnson

Johnson has been the Hawks MVP this season and there is a reason he was named to the All-Star game. Johnson has assumed the face of the franchise position with Trae Young now gone and while he still has things in his game to improve, Johnson is going to be one of the cornerstones that this franchise builds around and it would be great for the Hawks to see him in the No. 1 role in the playoffs this season.

C Onyeka Okongwu

Okongwu has gotten his chance as the starting center this season and has shown why the Hawks value him. He has improved his three point shootings and is an all around efficient player. I think Okongwu is being asked to play too many minutes and has his shortcomings as a rebounder and shot blocker, but he should still be a mainstay for the Hawks moving forward, though he might be best suited to be a No. 2 center.

Rotational Players/Backups

Guards: CJ McCollum, Buddy Hield, Gabe Vincent, Keaton Wallace
Wings: Jonathan Kuminga, Corey Kispert
Forwards: Mouhamed Gueye, Asa Newell
Bigs: Jock Landale, Christian Koloko

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What's Next?

Atlanta opens up their final home stretch with a matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers are sixth in the Eastern Conference standings, while the Hawks are 10th.

Tyrese Maxey ranks second in the NBA in total points (1,503), trailing only reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Maxey is averaging career highs in points (28.9), rebounds (4.1), assists (6.8), steals (2.0) and blocks (0.8).

Jalen Johnson leads Atlanta with averages of 23.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game.

The Hawks lead the season series 2-0, with a 142-134 double-overtime win on Nov. 30 in Philadelphia and a 120-117 victory on Dec. 14 in Atlanta. Johnson scored a then-career-high 41 points, along with 14 rebounds and seven assists, in the Nov. 30 win, while Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 44 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Sixers. Maxey did not play in the Dec. 14 matchup because of illness.

The teams are scheduled for a fourth and final meeting March 7 in Atlanta.

[ShireNiner]

Looks great so far with the layout. I’ll be following.

[redsox907]

only thing I don't like about getting Kuminga is he is going to want to get paid this offseason

but for what you guys lost, you could've done way worse. excited to see what you do with the A

[six7]

Looks great so far with the layout. I’ll be following.

thank u sir

only thing I don't like about getting Kuminga is he is going to want to get paid this offseason

but for what you guys lost, you could've done way worse. excited to see what you do with the A

one of my personal challenges is to finally unlock this mofo. undersized athletic forward with no shot. how the f can i get this dude to just play d and leak out for fastbreaks in this game and be a 15/7 guy who impacts defense? we'll see.

we also need a playmaker at guard who can dish the rock. so we'll see how that goes. gonna try to sneak in a couple playoff wins if i can and just assess. JJ is a stud tho

[Agent]

Welcome back to the chise game

[GM Rizzo]

Interesting choice of team. Feel like every player on the team is the same: oversized for their position, above average athlete with below average jumpers. Going to be fun to see how you handle this roster going forward.