標籤: Atlanta

There’s an old saying in football that if you have two quarterbacks, you really don’t have anyone. The theory is that having two starting-caliber QBs causes drama, friction and divides the locker room. The Atlanta Falcons are out to prove that old adage wrong.

This offseason, we saw Falcons team president Matt Ryan sign former Pro Bowl quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. It was a noteworthy move, considering that the team selected Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.

However, Penix has made only 12 starts combined over the past two seasons, and is now working towards a return from a torn ACL on November 16, 2025. Along with Tagovailoa and Penix, both plan to compete for the opportunity to start at QB for new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski.

With Falcons OTAs underway, we now know how the team is divvying up first-team reps.

according to athleticFalcons insider Josh Kendall plans to split first-team reps in OTAs for Tagovailoa and Penix. Still, Penix isn’t quite ready to start the teamwork yet, but he’s busy bowling on the field, where he “looks good” according to Kendall.

Stefanski says the composition of the team’s delegates “is all very intentional.” The Falcons have more than four months to find out, with their first regular season game scheduled for September 13 against Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers’ Pittsburgh Steelers.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings after Aaron Rodgers rejoins the Steelers

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We know the Atlanta Falcons have a new head coach. Depending on Michael Penix Jr.’s ACL recovery, the Falcons could have a new starting quarterback with Tua Tagovailoa ready to prove his worth as a Pro Bowl talent.

But there are other questions too. As for whether the Falcons have enough strong receivers to complement Drake London and Kyle Pitts.

There are free agent signees Olamide Zaccheus and Jahan Dotson, as well as rookie third-round pick Zachariah Branch. Still, Zaccheus and Dotson have never recorded more than 550 yards in a season, and Branch is also clearly unproven.

Thus, it’s not unreasonable to think that the Falcons could add a receiver with a proven track record, and there are still some former All-Pro and Pro Bowl players available.

recently, Sports IllustratedAlbert Breer of the NFL suggested the Falcons could be an eventual landing spot for free agent Stefon Diggs.

There isn’t a lot of money available in free agency at this stage. But Diggs won’t receive anything close to the $96 million contract he once had in Buffalo. Still, we may see the market for Diggs heating up now that signed players will not impact the team’s compensatory selection formula.

The recently concluded NFL Draft also helps, giving teams a better idea of ​​their remaining needs and what type of role a veteran can fill. In Atlanta, the role is quite clear; He will be the starting receiver in front of London, while also helping draw attention away from Pitts.

The question is how many other teams are eyeing Diggs for a similar role, and whether the Falcons have a situation that will last. Also, the Falcons may have the upper hand, with head coach Kevin Stefanski spending the first five seasons of Diggs’ career as a member of the Minnesota Vikings’ coaching staff.

Ultimately, the Falcons appear to have a lot working in their favor when it comes to bringing Diggs on board, but there has been no official movement linking him to Atlanta. As yet.

RELATED: 4 Best Stefon Diggs Landing Spots After the NFL Draft

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The Atlanta Braves struck gold with the selection of catcher Drake Baldwin with the 96th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. As he emerges as an All-Star and one of the new faces of the franchise, a historic contract extension could be next for the reigning NL Rookie of the Year.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that although the Braves have not “seriously begun talks” with Baldwin to discuss a potential contract extension, an eventual deal could reset the market for catchers.

• Drake Baldwin Stats 2026 (ESPN): 9 home runs, 30 RBI, .313/.392/.532, .922 triple-slash line in 147 at-bats this season

Baldwin, 25, is proving that his breakout season last year was no fluke. Atlanta’s budding All-Star has increased his walk rate (8.5% to 9.6%) and his isolated power (.195 to .218) so far. He’s clearly one of the best catchers in baseball, and his offensive production has been vital for a club that has also faced early struggles from Austin Riley and Ronald Acuña Jr.

Cal Raleigh is currently the highest paid catcher in MLB at an average annual value of $17.5 million. Notably, Raleigh and Los Angeles Dodgers star Will Smith is the only catcher to sign a contract worth $100 million or more. Realistically, if Baldwin signs a long-term deal he will reach that area.

There’s certainly no reason for Atlanta to rush into negotiations with Murphy. He is also not arbitration-eligible for the first time until after the 2027 MLB season. He still has additional team control remaining, so he will not be eligible for MLB free agency until 2030.

Rosenthal explained why the record for the highest AAV ever for a catcher, $23.1 million, is a figure Baldwin could surpass with his next deal. If that’s the case, Atlanta could consider a five-plus-year contract extension totaling around $120 million.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Atlanta Braves have been the best team in baseball, and this is nowhere near it. The club has started 25-11 with an 8 1/2 game lead in second place. There have been speculations year after year that the Braves were finally due for a breakout, although they have never lived up to those expectations thus far.

a miraculous championship moment

Atlanta had won the World Series just five years earlier. You wouldn’t think it given how the club has played over the past few years, but this team has performed wonders in 2021. The Braves won only 88 games in the regular season, but it was enough to win a middling National League East.

Ronald Acuña Jr. posted his best season since his 2018 Rookie of the Year campaign with a .283/.394/.596 slash line and 24 home runs. Freddie Freeman batted .300 with 31 longballs on the year. Even Austin Riley threw 33 balls out of the yard. he was the one steep Crew. The fact that they only won 88 games is ridiculous in itself.

Atlanta bested the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS (3-1) before defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers (4-2) to clinch a spot in the World Series against the Houston Astros. It was a ridiculously good Astros club. Houston won 95 games to claim the top spot in the American League West. One of the highlights of that club was their brilliant opening innings. Composed of Luis Garcia, Zack Greinke, Lance McCullers Jr., Jose Urquidi and Framber Valdez, watching the Braves defeat them in six games was a beautiful thing.

With leadoff homers from Jorge Soler (World Series MVP) and Eddie Rosario (NLCS MVP) in the postseason, the Braves battled their way to a World Series championship. they are The club proves that getting hot at the right time is what matters most in the race to the postseason.

That moment passes, each year since then is becoming less

Despite making the postseason three consecutive years after 2021, the Braves could not make it past the NLDS. Atlanta won over 100 games in 2022 and 2023 but disappointed in the postseason, losing to the Philadelphia Phillies both times. They won only 89 games in 2024 but still managed to make the playoffs. Atlanta was eventually joined in the NL wild card by the San Diego Padres.

But, in 2025, the Braves missed the postseason altogether. They finished fourth in the NL East with only 76 wins. It was a very poor season for an Atlanta team with high aspirations and expectations.

Much of this was due to injuries and absences from the planned roster. Jurickson Profar given 80-game suspension for PED use. Acuña was sidelined with hamstring and Achilles injuries. Spencer Schwellenbach, AJ Smith-Showers and Hurston Waldrep all missed significant time, forcing Atlanta to piece together its starting rotation.

But, other than that, the offense struggled mightily. Despite four players having over 20 homers (Matt Olson, Acuna, Marcell Ozuna, and Michael Harris), they failed to actually win baseball games due to their poor starting rotation.

Heading into 2026, the problem for Atlanta was that they didn’t make a single decisive move this offseason to fix it. Their only real addition was to bring in former Padres closer Robert Suarez as Raisel Iglesias’ setup man. This solves most of the Braves’ bullpen problems, plus their numerous injuries haven’t been a major issue so far.

What’s more, starting left fielder Profar is now serving a full season suspension after once again testing positive for PEDs. Adding insult to injury (literally), shortstop Ha-seong Kim’s preseason injury dashed Atlanta’s 2026 offensive hopes.

Surpasses expectations and remains on top position

The Braves are on track to win 112 games. If they are able to accomplish this, it will be the most games won by Atlanta in franchise history. This is largely due to the all-round effort of the club.

Pitching finally looks as effective as the Bills

In MLB, the Braves’ pitching staff ranked second in opponent batting average (.216), third in ERA (3.25) and fourth in WHIP (1.16) and runs allowed (129). The only rotation in baseball that has been better is the Dodgers’. Chris Sale’s return to form has been a wonderful development for the club (2.14 ERA, 42.0 IP). Reynaldo Lopez has pitched well (though not incredibly) with a 3.28 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. But the real story is the success of Bryce Elder. The righty leads the club with a 1.88 ERA in his first seven starts.

Yes, it hurts to have Spencer Schwellenbach gone for most of the season. But Spencer Strider is back (though he had a rough start after giving up three runs in as many innings (3.1 IP). This has been the rotation, and it looks like it will continue to be lethal.

a crime that won’t go away

The craziest part? The rotation isn’t even the best part of Atlanta’s season. It is a crime. The Braves rank first in every major category except on-base percentage with a .275/.341/.468 slash line and .809 OPS. He is second in MLB in home runs with 54. It’s hard to argue with numbers like that.

That offense has been fueled by incredible performance after incredible performance. A resurgent Olson is batting .300 with 12 home runs and a 1.047 OPS. Drake Baldwin is showing zero signs of sophomore decline, batting .313/.392/.531 as the club’s primary backstop. Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II are finally breaking out, with Dominic Smith emerging as an offensive threat. Acuna is declining, it’s true, but that doesn’t matter how much every other player has contributed.

There are still questions about depth and whether injuries will plague this club as much as before. The real test will come in the second half of the season. Can this Braves club overcome the dog days of summer? Perhaps. It would be great to see this Atlanta team finally live up to – and even exceed – the expectations set for them. only time will tell.

The New York Knicks dominated the game for most of the time. However, the whole situation went awry when we needed it most. The double-digit lead evaporated completely, the Knicks failed in their last few games and were swept by the Hawks in the end.

What was a great opportunity to achieve a big win turned into a very disappointing defeat and an even bigger question mark has arisen in front of New York after this 107-106 defeat on their own court.​

mikal bridges didn’t give enough

Bridges should have been one of the Knicks players to calm things down when the game got tense, but he didn’t do that here. He finished with just 10 points on 3-10 shooting, and he didn’t look like the hungry scorer that New York needed at all.

The problem was not just missed shots but also inaction. In the last game, he took the final shot and missed, which added to the disappointment. A player like Bridges can’t disappear in a situation when the game is on the line.

the knicks bench was cold as ice

The Knicks’ bench was not enough to help lead the team. New York got 13 points from Mitchell Robinson and seven from Jordan Clarkson, but the rest of the bench combined to score zero.

In a playoff game where every point counts, that’s not enough. Atlanta’s bench was able to score a total of 28 points, led by Jonathan Kuminga’s 19 points, and that extra scoring made the difference in the game when the starters began to fade.

Mike Brown needs to change the system, and the Knicks need to take it more seriously

A big lesson from this loss is that the Knicks can no longer rely solely on talent. Their offense sputtered in the fourth quarter, and the stats showed it: New York managed only 15 points in the quarter, shooting 22.7% from the field; Atlanta, on the other hand, scored 28 points and shot 72.2%.

In fact, the game showed that the Hawks consistently found the right moments to score, while the Knicks kept missing their chances. Even missed a few late shots that could have ensured victory. It is not just a matter of ‘bad luck’; This is a problem of the entire system and mentality.

If the style of play is too slow, too predictable, or too relaxed, this team will be victimized in close games.



Jayesh Pagar is currently pursuing Sports Journalism from London School of Journalism and has four years of experience… More about Jayesh Pagar

Someone call Victoria, because her secret is officially out. Angel Reese isn’t just a straight-up baller on the court; She is also bringing the same star power. Angel Reese is redefining what it means to own that room — even when that room is in the middle of the ocean, and the cameras are rolling.

Fashion and sports have always crossed each other’s path, but now? This is different. The lines are blurry, the stakes are big, and the bag is very heavy. Athletes are no longer just throwing around their names as brand endorsers – they are the brand.

Angel Reese levels up with major fashion power move

The former Chicago Sky forward—and utter cultural force—has stepped into a new lane this season: Victoria’s Secret campaign star. And yes… she didn’t creep in, she kicked the door open. Dressed in a dark gray strapless suit with a bold front cutout, Angel Reese posed under running water for shots that basically broke the Internet. The vibe was equal amounts of athlete energy and old-school glamour, which is pretty much her signature at the moment. Reese shared a carousel of photos from the photoshoot on her Instagram.

That suit wasn’t just about looking good. It was made to make a statement. The strapless cut and front detailing played with enough skin to feel risky but still intentional. Add oversized earrings and stacked bracelets, and suddenly you’ve got an edge. And Elegance. Throw in the water-drenched setup, and the whole thing hits like a cinematic moment – ​​raw, moody, and unapologetically loud.

Nothing seemed random about it. Every frame was oozing control, confidence and screaming “yes, I know exactly what I’m doing!” Blink, and you’ll miss it. But hey, no one is looking the other way.

And let’s be real – this isn’t the first time she’s coming out like this. In 2023, Reese performed in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue right after leading the LSU Lady Tigers to a national title. Fast forward to 2025, and she’s making history again by walking in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show alongside stars like Suni Lee.

At just 22 years old, Reese is already one of the most recognizable faces in American sports — and she didn’t get there by playing it safe. From LSU to the W, his rise has been more than buckets; It’s about showing up as her full, unfiltered self. That kind of authenticity? You can’t fake it, and brands know it.

That’s why this move makes sense. Victoria’s Secret isn’t the same brand it used to be — and Reese is stepping in strapless season The campaign feels bigger than any other collaboration. It feels like a change.

Who is hotter? Sun or Angel Reese? You tell us.

On Wednesday, the Atlanta Falcons suddenly felt a need when their starting right tackle Caleb McGary announced his retirement. He was the team’s first-round pick in 2019 and has started all six seasons of his career. Yet, after missing the entire 2025 season due to a serious foot injury, McGarry felt it was time to retire at the age of 31.

Even though he did not play last season, his sudden departure left the Falcons with a significant hole at right tackle. While the news of McGary’s retirement came as a surprise to outsiders, it is clearly something the Falcons have known about for some time.

On Wednesday, less than an hour after McGary’s retirement became public, the Falcons already lined up his replacement.

According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Falcons have signed right tackle Jawan Taylor to a one-year contract with a base price of $5 million. He could also earn an additional million through contract incentives.

While Taylor is projected to replace McGary in the Falcons’ starting lineup, he signed a fraction of his previous four-year, $80 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Still just 28 years old, the Falcons are adding a player who has started all 111 of his appearances in the NFL, including the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win in 2023. More importantly, Atlanta no longer has an urgent need to fill in the 2026 NFL Draft, where they only have five selections and none in the first round.

RELATED: Arizona Cardinals urge trade up, draft first-round QB

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The Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback room may already be set. First, they signed left-handed QB Tua Tagovailoa. The former Pro Bowler is expected to either start until fellow lefty Michael Penix Jr. makes a full recovery from his torn ACL, or possibly completely replace the 2024 first-round pick. While it’s clear who Atlanta’s top two quarterbacks are, now another arm has joined the fray.

On Tuesday, the Falcons signed 34-year-old backup QB Trevor Siemian. He will undoubtedly be the Falcons’ third-line QB behind Tagovailoa and Penix.

Siemian was the 250th selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. Considering that 249 players were selected before him, the seventh-round selection has had a good career.

After winning the Super Bowl as a rookie on Peyton Manning’s Broncos, Siemian has made 40 appearances and 33 starts. He has appeared in one game for seven different teams. Still, the Falcons are the 10th team Siemian has signed with.

However, he reunited in Atlanta with Kevin Stefanski, with whom he worked on the Vikings in 2018. Even though it’s been a long time, Siemian should have a very short learning curve when it comes to mastering the offense. With only five selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Falcons have already finalized their QB room, but there’s always a possibility they’ll add another camp arm as Penix continues his rehab.

RELATED: 2026 NFL mock draft after the first wave of free agency

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The Atlanta Hawks have won 11 consecutive games after Wednesday’s win over the Dallas Mavericks. It was a strong game from newly acquired wing Jonathan Kuminga, who scored 16 points in the win, including an incredible shot from almost full court.

Kuminga has had a solid stint in Atlanta so far after being shipped there along with Buddy Hield from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for big man Kristaps Porzingis, and now, more details are emerging on what could happen in the future between Atlanta and Kuminga.

“There is mutual interest between the Hawks and Jonathan Kuminga in declining his 2026-27 team option worth $24.3 million and agreeing to a long-term contract,” former FullCourtPass report on Twitter, citing a report from NBA insider Jake Fisher.

It certainly makes sense why Atlanta would be interested in keeping the former 2021 lottery selection long-term given his youth, athleticism and potential to get even better. Kuminga is a perfect fit for Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh looking to build a team full of athletic wings who can play multiple positions and switch defensively, and the fact that former number one overall pick Zachary Rishachar is back in his second season could make Kuminga’s long-term contract a sensible option for Atlanta.

Meanwhile, the Hawks have risen up the Eastern Conference standings amid their winning streak, now sitting just 1.5 games out of the fifth seed, though some skeptics are pointing to the lack of quality teams Atlanta has played during their streak as a reason not to take it seriously.

The Hawks will get a chance to test their skills against a playoff-caliber opponent on Friday evening when they go on the road to take on the Houston Rockets.

On Monday evening, the Atlanta Hawks picked up their tenth consecutive win with a home win over the Orlando Magic. It was an excellent game for guard Nickell Alexander-Walker, who set a career high with 41 points on nine three-pointers, and Jalen Johnson recorded his 13th triple double of the season in the win.

The basketball world has begun to pay attention to the Hawks now that they have posted their longest winning streak since their 60-win season in 2014-15, and one person joining in the praise is former NBA wing Chandler Parsons, who went on FanDuel’s “Run It Back” show to express his thoughts.

“This is the hottest team in the NBA right now… They’re playing their best basketball at the right time,” Parsons said, according to Axe, formerly of Run It Back, on Twitter.

Indeed, NBA teams typically try to prepare in March and April to play their best basketball, which is what the Hawks have been able to do over the past few weeks, losing just one game since the All-Star break.

Atlanta currently sits in eighth place in the Eastern Conference at 37-31, but is just 1.5 games out of the fifth seed, which could be very well within reach if the team continues its winning ways.

Through it all, Johnson has continued to establish himself as a rising superstar following his first All-Star appearance, and Alexander-Walker looks poised to compete for the Most Improved Player of the Year award. If he wins it, he will be the second consecutive Hawks player to win the award, joining Dyson Daniels.

The Hawks will next take the field against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday evening as they look to take their win streak to 11.

CJ McCollum has been a big reason for the Atlanta Hawks’ success since the All-Star break, and the numbers show it. The Hawks are on a nine-game winning streak, and at this point they are only concerned with trying to keep this momentum going and move up in the Eastern Conference standings.

At the same time, there are questions that will need to be answered at the end of the season, one of which is regarding McCallum’s future with the team. The veteran guard’s contract is expiring, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he had multiple suitors when free agency opens.

McCollum was asked by NBA insider Jake Fisher if he would welcome the opportunity to return to the Hawks, and his response was priceless.

“It’s not up to me, my friend,” McCallum said.

Fisher then talked about the options that McCollum would have, assuming a team that needs a scoring guard offers the same amount of money as the Hawks do.

“I love it here, man,” McCallum said. “I’m here for a reason. We’ll see. But right now, it’s about playing winning basketball and building on what we’ve done and piling up wins and piling up winning habits.”

For now, McCullum is focused on what’s in front of him and trying to make the playoffs. After his 30-point game against the Milwaukee Bucks, he mentioned that he was willing to do whatever it took to help the team.

“I’m just doing my job,” McCallum said. “When I came here I told them, whatever you guys need me to do, I’ll do. Come off the bench, start. Whatever it takes to be successful. I think for us it’s just been about timing, doing things the right way at the right time. And we have a good homestand.”

The Atlanta Hawks extended their winning streak to nine games with a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday afternoon, a feat the franchise had not accomplished since the 2014–15 season.

Atlanta’s latest win continues the team’s lead through the Eastern Conference and is the franchise’s longest winning streak since the 2014–15 campaign, when the Hawks finished 60–22 and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. The current run has helped Atlanta gain momentum in the playoff race while solidifying its position in the middle of the conference standings.

CJ McCollum led the way offensively against Milwaukee and scored 30 points while adding three rebounds, two assists and a steal. The veteran guard had an efficient performance, shooting 10 of 18 from the field and 7 of 10 from three-point range, while converting 3 of 4 free throws in 27 minutes.

Jalen Johnson had one of the most complete performances of the night, recording a triple-double with 23 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. Johnson made 10 of 20 shots from the field, including 2 of 5 from beyond the arc, and added one free throw in 35 minutes, as he helped control the tempo of the game on both ends of the floor.

Atlanta Hawks have won 9 games in a row 🔥

The longest active winning streak in the NBA and the franchise’s longest since the 2014–15 season. pic.twitter.com/BF1leJpc5N

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 14 March 2026

Nine straight wins have moved the Hawks closer to the Eastern Conference top six

The balanced effort highlighted Atlanta’s recent strong play, which has seen the team return to postseason contention. With the win, the Hawks improved to 36–31 on the season and moved closer to the Miami Heat (38–29), 2.5 games behind the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference standings.

Atlanta’s nine-game winning streak currently stands as the longest active streak in the NBA, underscoring the team’s momentum as the regular season enters its final stretch. The Hawks have benefited from improved offensive execution and consistent contributions throughout the roster during the streak.

The team will now look to build on its performance on Monday night when it hosts the Orlando Magic (37-28). The matchup, scheduled for 7:00 pm ET on Peacock and NBCSN, will serve as the final game of Atlanta’s five-game homestand and will have significant playoff implications as the Eastern Conference race tightens.

The Atlanta Hawks have seen many versions of this team throughout the season. Through injuries and trades, it’s safe to say there have been about three or four different iterations of this roster. Despite the changes, the Hawks have managed to stay in things and are in contention for a playoff spot with just over a month remaining in the regular season.

This current version of the team is playing some good basketball, as they are currently on a seven-game winning streak. Jalen Johnson, a player who has been a constant on the team this season, recently shared what he likes about this version of the roster.

“Communication has been huge for us,” Johnson told reporters. “From the locker room to practice to halftime, the way we’re communicating with each other and everyone just speaking their mind. I think that’s really huge for us. At the end of the day, we’re the guys on the court, so for us to be communicating at that point and on a string, I think it’s been really good.”

Communication goes a long way in any profession, but strictly speaking basketball, it can have a big impact on sports. It helps that the Hawks have a good mix of young players and experienced guys on the team, so they can get different perspectives from different sides.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker said the Hawks have matured throughout the season, which is one reason why they are playing the way they have at this point in the season.

“The focus, how hard we’re playing, even down to the technical foul, something so small, I don’t think we would have done that in the first half of the season,” Alexander-Walker said. “Now we’re really starting to do that, and it’s a credit to everyone. I think this group is really starting to come together.”

The Hawks are getting hot at the right time, as they try to climb up the standings in the Eastern Conference. The thing is, the teams above them are also like Miami Heat and Orlando Magic. The Philadelphia 76ers have started battling injuries at the wrong time, so there’s a good chance the Hawks will pass them in the standings.

At the end of the day, they can only worry about what they can control and keep winning the game.

The Atlanta Hawks are on a seven-game winning streak and are trying to make the playoffs with just over a month remaining in the season. This is a unique situation for the Hawks, as they are able to compete this season, while also having a chance to acquire the top pick in this year’s NBA Draft after acquiring the rights to the New Orleans Pelicans’ pick.

If the Pelicans don’t have a great record, the lottery odds could be in the Hawks’ favor, and they could add a top prospect to a team that already has a bright future.

In the latest ESPN mock draft, their pick landing at No. 6, and they have the Hawks selecting Illinois point guard Keaton Wagler.

Jeremy Wu wrote, “Wagler’s unexpected rise from off-the-radar recruit to Big Ten Freshman of the Year has given him a chance to be the second guard off the board.” “His size at his position – 6-foot-6 – 3-point shooting (41%) and impeccable playmaking puts him ahead of the curve developmentally.

“Gaining strength to navigate the paint better and becoming a better defender are also long-term keys. He is the least dynamic athlete at guard in this group, but the blueprint is in place for him to become an NBA backcourt fixture.”

The Hawks are moving on from a dynamic point guard in Trae Young this season, they need to find a way to add to that position this offseason, and Wagler could be a start. The big thing for Wagler is that he is 6’6 inches tall and can shoot the three ball in a row.

The Hawks are already a team that shoots the ball a lot, and his defensive ability could help him fit in immediately. While he may not be the hottest guard in the draft, he has everything the Hawks need in a guard.

The Atlanta Falcons will have a new head coach next season. They may also have a new quarterback.

Michael Penix Jr., the eighth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered on Nov. 16. He may not be ready for the start of the season.

Either way, the Falcons are making other plans at the QB position after recently moving on from Kirk Cousins, who is set for free agency again. With Cousins ​​gone, the Falcons need more depth at the position, and new head coach Kevin Stefanski may also have a say in the matter.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Falcons are “making a push” to sign recently released Tua Tagovailoa.

The Dolphins are still paying Tagovailoa $54 million in 2026, so they are expected to sign the veteran for a minimum of $1.3 million. It’s an incredible deal for him, whether he gets any starts or not.

Still, the Falcons can have confidence in Tagovailoa returning as a Pro Bowl QB under Coach Stefanski. At least, the 28-year-old brings 76 games of starting experience to Atlanta, where Penix has only 12 starts.

Additionally, Penix and Tagovailoa are both left-handed quarterbacks, which should make for an easier transition for receivers to catch passes moving in a different direction.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 projections ahead of NFL free agency

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The Atlanta Hawks have seen different iterations of their team come and go this season, but they currently have this group they are used to down the stretch. With a mix of experienced and young players, the Hawks have the right ingredients to make the playoffs, and they are doing so, as evidenced by their current winning streak.

One player who has been a big help for the Hawks since January is CJ McCollum, and he seems to fit in well with what the team is trying to accomplish. Quin Snyder recently made the move to insert him into the starting lineup, as statistics show he is a much better team when he plays with Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu.

Players also see the difference McCullum makes when he is on the field.

“From an experience standpoint, we have CJs who are experienced, and the same thing with nickel, Okongwu said. “They’re leading us to better basketball, we’re having fun out there.”

“C.J. has been great for us,” Daniels said. “That vet presence, a guy who can make things happen. He’s a leader for us. A guy we can rely on, a guy who can get a bucket when we need to. It’s been really good to have him.”

When the Hawks needed a bucket, McCollum was there to make the save many times. This is what he has done throughout his career, and he is helping the Buckeye Hawks as they try to climb the Eastern Conference standings.

Snyder believes the Hawks have found something with McCollum and the other newcomers to the team.

“There was a period of about a week or two where those guys were really trying to figure it out,” Snyder said. “The thing that allows teams to come together is to bring yourself to the team and not be able to worry about a lot of numbers. I think those guys have really started to embrace that, and it makes the whole greater than the sum of the parts.”

The Hawks are clicking at the right time of the season, and if they take care of business, they could find themselves higher than the ninth seed by the end of the year.

The Atlanta Hawks achieved a franchise milestone after a 125-116 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.

Atlanta has been an active franchise for 77 seasons since its inaugural campaign in 1949. He has experienced many victories throughout his lifetime so far, making 49 playoff appearances and even winning a championship.

All those wins allowed him to reach the peak of 3,000 wins, needing one more win to reach this milestone. Only five other teams have accomplished this feat, making it even more significant when Atlanta defeated Philadelphia to clinch the home win and make history.

“Tonight’s win, Atlanta’s season-best sixth consecutive win, marks the Hawks’ 3,000th franchise win, becoming the sixth team in NBA history with 3,000 wins,” the post read.

How the Hawks played against the 76ers

The Hawks took care of business and continued their active winning streak after defeating the 76ers.

Atlanta got off to a slow start defensively and trailed 38–28 after the first quarter. Despite this, the hosts got back on track by taking control in the second half and outscoring Philadelphia 59–43 in the final 24 minutes of regulation.

Five players scored in double figures for Atlanta in the win. Jalen Johnson demolished Philadelphia’s defense with a stat line of 35 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals. He made 12 of 19 shots from the field, including 2 of 4 from beyond the arc and 9 of 9 from the free-throw line. Nickeil Alexander-Walker came next with 24 points and six assists, CJ McCollum had 17 points and seven assists, while Dyson Daniels put up 15 points and nine rebounds. Meanwhile, Onyeka Okongwu provided 10 points and six rebounds.

Atlanta improved to a 33–31 record on the season and finished ninth in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks while trailing the 76ers and Miami Heat.

Riding a six-consecutive win streak, the Hawks will be looking forward to their next contest. They will be at home when they host the Dallas Mavericks on March 10 at 7:30 pm ET.

The Atlanta Hawks essentially hit the reset button when they traded franchise cornerstone Trae Young to the Washington Wizards at the deadline. It’s clear they plan to build around their youth like rising star Jalen Johnson. And their other deadline trade for Jonathan Kuminga solidifies their direction. According to NBA insider Jake Fisher, the name of the game for the Hawks is to identify potential young talent, which they hope to do with the signing of Keyshawn Gilbert to a two-way contract roster spot.

With the Hawks signing Keyshawn Gilbert, all three two-way contract spots on their roster have been filled. The Hawks had an open spot after converting Caleb Houston’s two-way to a standard deal. Gilbert joins Christian Koloko and Raze Dennis as the Hawks’ two-way contract players.

Gilbert is on a new term with the Wizards as part of a 10-day contract. During that period, he appeared in three games, at a rate of approximately 16 minutes per game. He averaged 2.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 50 percent from 2-point range and 100 percent from the free-throw line.

His best game came in his first game with the Wizards, even though they lost to the Brooklyn Nets. He finished with a well-rounded stat line of four points, three rebounds, two assists and three blocked shots in a little over 28 minutes. He went a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.

After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, Gilbert joined the Wizards for training camp on an Exhibit 10 contract. He was waived before the start of the season, and was playing for their G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go’s.

Ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, many analysts expected the Atlanta Falcons to improve on the pass-rusher with the eighth overall pick in the first round. Despite signing Kirk Cousins ​​to a four-year, $180 million contract a month earlier, they surprised everyone by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. instead.

After two seasons, the Falcons have already decided to release Cousins, ending his Atlanta tenure with a 12–10 record. Meanwhile, Penix has yet to establish himself as a franchise QB. Penix, who turns 26 in May, still has two more years left on his rookie contract. He initially led the Falcons to a 4–8 record.

Now, as we approach the player transaction phase, the Falcons are being linked to another high-profile quarterback.

Recently, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler had the opportunity to travel to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine. In doing so, he raised several interesting points.

One thing Fowler reported was that an unnamed NFL head coach told him, unsolicited, “Be careful of Tua (Tagovailoa) in Atlanta.”

The Falcons do not have many strong or specific coaching relationships with Tagovailoa. However, coach Kevin Stefanski hired Robert Prince as his wide receivers coach, and Prince spent the 2025 season in the same role with the Miami Dolphins.

Or maybe the Falcons are interested in the idea of ​​bringing in a former Pro Bowl QB to compete and inspire Penix to maximize his potential. Stock is low on Tagovailoa, who signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the Dolphins through 2024. They’ve already guaranteed $54 million in 2026; The question is whether he will earn that money as a member of the Dolphins, Falcons or another team.

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The Atlanta Hawks have officially begun selling their Magic City-inspired merchandise following a viral announcement that garnered national attention earlier this week.

After unveiling a surprise collaboration with the Magic City on Thursday, the Hawks listed their “Forever 404 Magic City Peachtree Hoodie” for sale on the team’s official website. The hoodie is priced at $125 and is currently available for pre-order, with two days left in the pre-sale window. The organization has also placed a limit of two hoodies per order.

The partnership was announced with the introduction of “Magic City Night”, a themed promotion tied to Atlanta’s March 16 home game against the Orlando Magic. The revelation spread quickly online on social media and caused a significant increase in demand for tickets, with reports indicating that average list prices increased immediately after the news broke.

Former Hawks guard Lou Williams publicly expressed his support for the collaboration during an appearance on FanDuel’s Run It Back on Friday. Williams, widely known by his nickname “Lemon Pepper Lou”, praised the franchise for embracing Atlanta culture and expressed approval of the partnership. His comments came after Thursday’s official announcement and heightened trading interest as the weekend pre-sale approaches.

The Atlanta Hawks are now selling the “Magic City Monday” hoodie for $125.

Wild times. pic.twitter.com/6vs5mr8nJ2

– Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) 28 February 2026

Hawks-Magic City collaboration brings a surge of merchandise

The collaboration has placed the Hawks at the center of a broader cultural conversation, encompassing basketball and one of Atlanta’s most recognizable nightlife institutions. The co-branded hoodie features the Hawks’ logo along with the Magic City name across the chest, aligning with the team’s “Forever 404” branding tied to the city’s area code.

On the court, Atlanta (30-31) is ninth in the Eastern Conference standings. The Hawks picked up their third consecutive win on Thursday with a 126-96 win over the Washington Wizards and will host the Portland Trail Blazers (29-31) on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.

With merchandise now available for purchase and demand for tickets growing, the Hawks collaboration is building momentum beyond social media. The pre-sale launch Saturday marks the latest step in a rollout that grew from Thursday’s announcement to Friday’s player support and weekend merchandise push, as Atlanta prepares for its upcoming home expansion.

The Atlanta Hawks experienced a sharp increase in ticket prices after announcing their upcoming “Magic City Night” promotion in collaboration with Magic City.

According to Yahoo Sports, the average list price for the Hawks’ March 16 home game increased nearly 300 percent after the team announced the partnership on social media.

Yahoo Sports shared on X, formerly known as Twitter:

“The Hawks and Magic City are teaming up for the ultimate collaboration

Average list price increased 300% after team’s social media announcement”

The promotion, called “Magic City Night”, is scheduled for the time when Atlanta hosts the Orlando Magic. The franchise also unveiled co-branded merchandise, including a hoodie with the Hawks’ logo emblazoned with the Magic City name on the chest. The collaboration quickly generated national buzz and was widely discussed on social media platforms.

The Hawks and Magic City are teaming up for the ultimate collaboration

Average list price increased 300% after team’s social media announcement pic.twitter.com/Xr6xxOdkit

– Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) 27 February 2026

Former Hawks guard Lou Williams – widely known by his nickname “Lemon Pepper Lou” – publicly expressed his support for the partnership during an appearance on FanDuel’s Run It Back. Williams, who previously played in Atlanta and has a long association with the Magic City, called the collaboration an authentic reflection of the city’s culture.

His association with the venue dates back to 2020, when his “Lemon Pepper Lou” nickname was popularized due to a visit to the Magic City during the NBA’s Orlando Bubble due to quarantine protocols and referencing the club’s signature wings. Williams later adopted this nickname as part of his personal brand.

Atlanta (30-31) is currently ninth in the Eastern Conference standings and entering the promotion with a three-game winning streak. Whether driven by curiosity, cultural significance or social media momentum, the Hawks’ announcement has translated into immediate market impact, with ticket demand soaring in the wake of the Magic City collaboration.

The Washington Wizards are counting on Trae Young to help lead them through their painfully long rebuild, but even before they acquired him in a trade last January, the four-time All-Star point guard breathed new life into the Atlanta Hawks. Although the union ultimately worked its way out and both sides agreed it was time to part ways, Young was responsible for many exciting moments at State Farm Arena. He formally received the flowers on Tuesday night.

Before facing the Wizards, the Hawks played a nice tribute video to the 2021-22 All-NBA Third-Team selection, which included some of his greatest shots, nutmegging Kevin Durant in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game and, of course, his famous bow at Madison Square Garden after eliminating the New York Knicks in the playoffs. The fans filled the building with applause and gratitude. Young reciprocated the love, but she still needed some time to get over her feelings after returning home.

He moved to the X following Washington’s 119–98 loss. “Still gathering my thoughts,” posted the No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. “My love for Atlanta is eternal.”

Young is still sidelined with an MCL sprain and quadriceps injury, so he got a chance to enjoy the crowd’s applause throughout the evening. The 2024-25 assists champion is dedicated to helping the Wizards compete in the East moving forward, but he will always be tied to ATL.

Trae Young led the team to an incredible trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2022, a feat the Hawks have achieved only once since moving to Atlanta in 1968. He is also the all-time franchise leader in 3-pointers (1,295) and assists (4,837). City is optimistic for this new era of Hoops, but it is clearly grateful for the heavy workload that the No. 3 took on during his eight years with the team.

And he clearly feels the same way. After this moment of closure, both sides will now turn the page on what they hope will be a promising chapter in their respective NBA journeys.

ATLANTA – In 24 minutes of playing time, everyone was reminded of what Jonathan Kuminga can do when he gets the opportunity to play.

Athleticism. Driving on slopes. Selflessness.

Forget everything that happened in the last months after the Golden State Warriors made the trade. Kuminga always had the skills to make an impact in wins, but at some points he was not given much of a chance to do so. With the Hawks, he will be able to do that, and he showed it in his debut against the Washington Wizards.

His first shot came in transition, when he sidestepped his defender and drove into the lane for a layup. His next production was a dunk in transition. From there, he got into a rhythm and started knocking down three-pointers over defenders.

Jonathan Kuminga’s first bucket as Hawk! pic.twitter.com/xY2hhDBrJ2

– Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) 25 February 2026

Kuminga finished the game with 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists. No Hawk debuted with 25+ points in less than 30 minutes.

“I got confidence from my teammates,” Kuminga told reporters after the game. “They told me not to worry about anything. Just go out there and be you. Everything will be OK. I had a lot of people in my ear telling me to go, be you, play basketball. The first two minutes I was just thinking about it, but after that, everything was good.”

Head coach Quin Snyder always talks about the fundamental things the Hawks need to do to win games. Pass the ball, defend and run. Kuminga surpassed all those standards in his debut.

Snyder said, “Things we talked about as a team were obviously a focal point. Playing with the pass, that’s what you’ve heard me say since October, and he really demonstrated it right away to the point where I told him it was OK to shoot, too. But he allowed himself to come into the game, how he connected with his teammates and let the game come to him. I think it shows a lot of maturity on his part and how he feels about the group.” Let’s do it.

His teammates were looking forward to playing with him for the last few days and he did not disappoint them. All four of his assists came in the first quarter, and there were a few chances when he could have taken an open shot, but instead, he sent the extra pass.

“Another guy that’s going to put pressure on the rim, put him in the paint,” Nickell Alexander-Walker said. “His willingness to pass and fit within the system. To have fun with everybody. He was always locked in and vocal throughout the game, so it was good for him to come out and do that.”

The noise that was around Kuminga easily shut down every rumor and every negative report about him in a single night. If there were a statue for smiling, Kuminga would lead the night in that category.

“For people who really know me, all my teeth are out. I’m smiling, I’m laughing all the time,” Kuminga said. “Since I’ve been here, just being with the guys, I’ve developed a bond with them. Good people, good team. We all want to win. Winning comes with joy, so as long as we’re all out there enjoying ourselves, it’ll help us win games.”

This was just the beginning, but it was a good start for Kuminga. For people to really move forward, they just need a change of scenery to become the best version of themselves. It seems like this is exactly what Kuminga needed, and he could be with a team that can help him get to where he wants to go in his career.

Kuminga isn’t going to score 27 points in 24 minutes every game. He won’t have 12 shot attempts. He knows this, but his entire focus is on winning.

“It doesn’t matter if I go out there and hit two shots. As long as it’s impacting us to win, that’s what really matters,” Kuminga said.

Before the trade deadline, the Atlanta Hawks decided to move on by trading former face of the franchise Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Young was often injured this season and was not very productive when healthy, but the Hawks decided they would rather get some value for him rather than give him a big contract moving forward.

It also allows the Hawks to transition to a defense-first identity, with the team handing the keys to the franchise to rising star Jalen Johnson. But Young’s departure was so sudden that everyone didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.

Tuesday night, Hawks visit Young with Wizards finally got it His well-deserved public farewell. The Hawks released a tribute video to Young, to which the multiple-time All-Star reacted emotionally.

Via ClutchPoints beat reporter Malik Brown and Hawks.com reporter Kevin Chouinard:

Trae Young Tribute Video + Trae’s Reaction pic.twitter.com/ZHXl8v715a

– Malik Brown (@_MalikATL) 25 February 2026

Trae Young reacts to his tribute video pic.twitter.com/mJ2xF5H6eT

– Kevin Chouinard (@KLChouinard) 25 February 2026

Young played some of his best basketball for the Hawks, and the city of Atlanta adopted him as one of their own. It may not have worked out for Young in the end in Atlanta, but that doesn’t take away from anything he’s done for the team in his seven and a half seasons with the team.

Trae Young, Hawks make fresh start

The Hawks got a fresh start, but so did Young. Young has long been scapegoated for his defensive shortcomings, but in the nation’s capital, he’ll get more help than ever, especially once Anthony Davis gets healthy.

It wasn’t an easy decision for the Hawks to lose Young, but Johnson’s emergence as a point forward and the team’s improved depth could bode well for their future – especially when they have a potential top-five pick in this year’s draft.

As Quin Snyder’s upstart Atlanta Hawks navigate the post-Trae Young era and jockey for a spot in the NBA’s Eastern Conference play-in tournament, Nickell Alexander-Walker has emerged as an unexpected offensive catalyst. The former Virginia Tech standout has also rewritten the story of his career. Alexander-Walker is no longer just a rotational piece, he’s posting amazing statistics that will make even the most optimistic front-office executives do a double take.

The 27-year-old guard is no longer a filler piece hidden on the sidelines. NAW is a primary option, a go-to scorer, and quickly becoming one of the most compelling breakout stories of the NBA season. With career-highs averaging 19.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals, Alexander-Walker is in line for some NBA Most Improved Player votes.

Snyder saw the surge coming, but it all started with trusting him to make the right decisions, even if it meant extra attention.

“As far as playmaking, you know (Alexander-Walker) can get into the lane,” Snyder said. “He’s not your typical playmaker, but I think he’s unselfish and he’s willing to get off the ball when he’s guarded.”

Alexander-Walker is also shooting 37.2% from three-point range on 8.2 attempts per game. This amount is almost double with almost the same efficiency despite increase in other responsibilities. Hawks GM Bryson Graham, who was with the New Orleans Pelicans at the time of Alexander-Walker’s draft, bet that all the extra shooting work would eventually prove beneficial somewhere.

Snyder said, “I think we saw it early in (Alexander-Walker’s) career, and now you can tell where it came from. It’s the person he was, the competitor he was. I think at Minnesota, he really established himself as a defender and a knockdown three-point shooter, especially from the corners. We’ve tried to encourage him to be really aggressive in shooting. Even Even some competitive shots from three, I think, his confidence motivates him.”

That’s exactly the aggression the Hawks need when navigating the treacherous waters of the play-in race. With the stakes increased in each game, Snyder has found a reliable scoring option that can stretch defenses to their breaking point.

However, what makes Alexander-Walker especially valuable in Snyder’s system is his unorthodox approach to playmaking. He’s not a traditional point guard who dominates the ball, yet NAW is creating offense in ways that keep defenses off balance. Jalen Johnson appreciates someone else stepping in to ease the offensive load.

As far as Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s late 20s trajectory? Well, he arrived in the NBA with a defined skill set, worked to expand it, and now finds himself in a system that actively encourages him to do more. The Hawks took note of Alexander-Walker’s best performances and then leveraged him. Shoot the three in dispute. Get down. trust yourself. It’s the perfect home for their prime years.

And by almost every measure, they have responded. Whether that translates into a play-in berth or perhaps something else, will define the rest of this season. But Alexander-Walker’s success has already answered a question that had been pending for years. What can one become if one has the right environment and the right sound in the ears? The answer, it turns out, is a 20-point scorer on a playoff team.

For the past two seasons, Kyle Pitts and the rest of the Atlanta Falcons have been coached by Raheem Morris. After consecutive 8–9 seasons that ended without a playoff appearance, the Falcons have moved in a different direction.

They no longer have a defensive-minded head coach. Now, they hire two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski, who brings an offensive background. Could this make a difference for Pitts, the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft?

Pitts is about to become a free agent for the first time in his career, but it looks like the Falcons aren’t going to let their Pro Bowl running back go by without getting something in return.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Falcons are now planning to place the franchise tag on Pitts this offseason. If so, that means he will receive a salary of more than $15 million. However, as Rapoport notes, the Falcons hope to still work out a long-term contract extension with Pitts rather than carry him for another season.

The 25-year-old is coming off one of his best seasons, in which he recorded 88 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns. The hope is that he can not only match, but exceed those stats while playing in Coach Stefanski’s offense. Still, many other teams are envisioning big numbers for Pitts if he also joins their offense.

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Tuesday’s Brooklyn Nets-Dallas Mavericks matchup at Barclays Center is in question because of a historic blizzard that hit the Northeast.

Following Sunday’s loss to the Hawks, the Nets’ plane will remain grounded in Atlanta until Monday, according to league sources. Brooklyn plans to fly to New York on Tuesday morning, weather permitting.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks are stuck in Indianapolis after defeating the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.

Blizzard traps Nets, Mavericks out of New York ahead of matchup in Brooklyn

Tuesday’s matchup will have significant implications for the NBA’s tank race.

After four consecutive losses, the Nets (15-41) have regained sole possession of third place in the draft lottery standings. They are tied in the win column and two behind the second-place Indiana Pacers (15-43) in the loss column. The New Orleans Pelicans (16-42) and Washington Wizards (16-40) are in fourth and fifth place, respectively.

Meanwhile, Dallas is also fighting for a top 10 spot. The Mavericks had lost 10 consecutive games before Sunday’s win over the Pacers. Due to a leg injury, Cooper has not been able to play in the last three matches of the flag team.

Dallas currently sits seventh in the lottery standings, 1.5 games ahead of the eighth-place Memphis Grizzlies and 2.5 games behind the sixth-place Utah Jazz.

We’ve officially entered the first two races of the 2026 NASCAR season, with Sunday’s Cup Series race at Atlanta bringing more changes to the points leaderboard early in the year. Every week matters in the months leading up to the 10-race The Chase, so today’s results could determine who is the regular season winner.

Here are the NASCAR points leaders in the Cup Series after the Autotrader 400 at Echopark Speedway.

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NASCAR points standings today: Cup Series points leaders

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Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Atlanta Hawks have had a somewhat disappointing season, but coming out of the All-Star break there is still time to turn things around. The Hawks sit at 27-31 on the season ahead of Sunday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets, and head coach Quin Snyder has made a surprising change to start it.

With the team needing a spark, Snyder selected 2024 No. 1 overall pick Zachary Rishachar over veteran guard C.J. McCollum. Rishacher showed promising signs as a rookie, but he has had a tough sophomore season as the pressure of being a former top pick began to mount.

McCollum started alongside Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Nickell Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu. Lauren L. of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. According to Williams, that five-man lineup came into Sunday’s game with a +18.7 point differential, the best mark on the team.

In a similar vein, Snyder hinted at potentially making this change after Atlanta’s 31-point loss to the Miami Heat on Friday night via Hawks beat writer Kevin Chouinard.

“This is our best lineup by far, from a plus-minus standpoint,” Snyder said. “You could make the argument that we should start that lineup…how can we best utilize CJ?”

McCollum came to the Hawks in one of the most notable moves of the season when Atlanta sent star point guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. Some believed McCollum would be traded upon arriving in Atlanta, but he has been a quality contributor for the Hawks since the trade.

Before Sunday, McCollum had appeared in 18 games for the Hawks and was averaging 19 points a game even in 30 minutes of action per night. Now without Young on the team, Atlanta is in desperate need of the scoring punch provided by McCollum as they try to maintain their position in the play-in tournament.

On the other side of the coin, a move to the bench will hopefully take some pressure off Rishaer and allow him to start playing his best basketball like he was starting last season. If he can rediscover that form, Atlanta will be a scary team come the postseason.

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks started the second half of the season with a road win, an environment they have been quite comfortable in this year. As of Friday, the Hawks were 17-15 on the road.

It’s home games where they lag (10-16 record), and that was the case in their 128-97 loss to the Miami Heat. The Hawks took a flat approach to start the game, while the Heat were clicking on both sides of the ball.

It was the second quarter where the Hawks came alive, and with a run started by Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum, they saw a 15-point deficit disappear.

“We played with better pace,” McCallum said. “We came out and ran. I think in the first quarter, we got our sea legs back and we didn’t come out and run. Didn’t get a chance to get stops.

“In the second quarter, we came out and ran. Corey got a dunk and a transition three. Got some rim pressure, got some kick out three eyes out. I think that was the difference.”

The Hawks trailed 57-51 at halftime and with little momentum. Unfortunately, they went back to their old habits and the Heat never looked back in the second half, taking a 34-point lead in the fourth quarter.

“They went into the zone to start the fourth quarter and I think that changed the game,” McCollum said. “They took advantage of some turnovers and missed shots. I don’t think we did enough to win. [Tyler] Hero got down. He’s got a lot more freedom, a lot more space in his pick and roll, and a lot more space in his pull-ups. I think a lot of guys hurt us tonight, and I think we didn’t deserve to win this game.”

The Heat had 72 points in the paint to the Hawks’ 38. They were defeated 58-46. Plus, they got 20 points off their turnovers. The only thing that went good for the Hawks in this game was that they shot 42% from the three-point line, but that was still not enough to win.

“I think when we follow the game plan, and we come out and execute the game plan, that’s when we play our best. I don’t think we did a good job of executing the game plan tonight,” Jalen Johnson said.

The Hawks were coming up by one, but they didn’t use it as an excuse for the loss.

“I would have liked to have gone to bed before 3 a.m. last night, but they beat us to it,” McCallum said. “It’s the same. They came out, they played better than us. They started well. They got points in transition, they got threes, they got rim pressure. Tonight they did what they wanted. So back-to-back or not, they did enough to win, and we didn’t do enough.”

The Hawks have four consecutive games to correct their mistakes for their home woes this season, and they are coming against opponents who haven’t had the best performances this year.

Johnson said, “The opportunities are in front of us. We just have to go out there and get it. We got another chance to regroup on Sunday, and tomorrow we got a chance to watch film and get better.”

The second half of the season is upon us, and the Atlanta Hawks got off to a good start with a 117-107 win against the Philadelphia 76ers. From now until the end of the season, every game will become more important for the Hawks as they try to climb the Eastern Conference standings.

The Hawks, currently seeded ninth, have a chance to make some headway given the teams ranked above them, but they could fall short in no time with the Charlotte Hornets behind them.

Following their win against the 76ers, Johnson shared what the Hawks will need to do to move up in the standings as the season continues.

Johnson said, “If we continue to play a full 48 minutes, we’ll put ourselves in a position to win every night. I know the guys in that locker room, the coaching staff and everybody, we believe in each other.” “So if we continue to believe in each other, I think we’ll have a good effort.”

The Hawks apparently had a team meeting the night before the game, and Johnson said a message was clear throughout the group.

“We’re ready for the second half of the season. We have the same mentality and I think we understand what needs to be done and what needs to be done,” Johnson said.

It’s been an interesting season for the Hawks, as they’ve had several iterations of this team throughout the year. Six new players have been added to the team via trades, and it’s clear this is not the same group the Hawks started with this season. With that, they have to build chemistry with new people, while also trying to figure out where they fit in.

In the end, the Hawks still have a solid group that can win games, and they are still in position to get a better seed before the end of the season. After playing the most road games in the league in the first half of the season, the Hawks get a break in the second half, and they have one of the easier schedules in terms of opponent winning percentage.

As Johnson said, if they can continue to play the full 48 minutes, they may give themselves the best chance to keep winning games.