Atlanta has won seven of their last eight games and had a previous 6-game winning streak to push them above .500, where they sit at the seventh seed. They have quality wins under their belt, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers twice, the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the New York Knicks on Wednesday in the Emirates NBA Cup, where they punched their ticket to the quarterfinals in Vegas. Media and fans are still determining whether or not the Hawks are legitimate playoff contenders, but here are some reasons why the Hawks are beginning to get in their groove.

Healthy Roster

The Hawks have a healthy roster for the first time in a long time. Prior to their 7-game win streak, the whole roster became available. A healthy roster is crucial for a team to create chemistry and cohesion. At the beginning of the season, essential rotational pieces like Bogdan Bogdanović and De’Andre Hunter were injured. They are two crucial pieces for the Hawks bench, with Hunter garnering attention for the 6MOY award due to his efficient, stellar play. Even Trae and Jalen have missed a handful of games, and the only game they lost in the past eight games was when Jalen and Bogi were out against the Denver Nuggets.

Key Guys Stepping Up 

Jalen Johnson

Johnson has gradually improved each season, and he has more ballhandling responsibilities this season. The only players to average 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists this season are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis, and Jalen Johnson. He looks more comfortable handling the ball as the second option, being a point guard in a big body. If the Hawks continue to win more games, I can see him becoming an all-star this year.

De’Andre Hunter

Hunter has been impressive off the bench. In the last eight games, he has averaged 22.4 points, shooting 51.8% from the field and 51.9% on 3-pointers. He is shooting efficiently and is a big part of the Hawks’ success. The Hawks are 9-1 when he scores 20+ points. Hunter is often in trade rumors, but he is starting to show his potential to become a lethal scorer off the bench, which might help his health in the long term.

Dyson Daniels

Daniels is undoubtedly one of the most important players on this team. His defense unlocks this team’s potential. His ability to recover and remove their lead guard makes it easier for the rest of the team. His ability to cut, make the extra pass, and shoot open shots makes him the perfect complement to Trae Young.

Zaccharie Risacher

We have to give credit to the rook for playing so maturely. While he has not had an efficient season, he still goes out every day and plays hard. His defense and hustle impress me the most, often affecting the game with his length and athleticism. The Hawks’ Daniels/Risasacher/Johnson wing core has proved disruptive on defense, empowering the Hawks to run in transition.

Healthy Balance

This team is built around Trae Young, and it is the first iteration since their 2021 Eastern Conference Playoff that can fully support him. But we must credit Trae for his work, opting to distribute the ball more than taking shots. Trae leads the league in assists per game (12.2) and total assists (304). With a more competent team, Trae is finding the balance of attempting shots while spreading the ball out throughout the floor. Trae has matured in his ballhandling, being more careful with the ball and attacking the rim with a set intention to score or pass.

It is still early in the season, but the Hawks are showing why they have decided to build this core group of players. They are starting to form their identity and have big wins against contenders