The Atlanta Hawks are turning heads with their tenth consecutive victory, a commanding win over the Orlando Magic on Monday night. Guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker was nothing short of spectacular, dropping a career-high 41 points, including nine three-pointers. Meanwhile, Jalen Johnson continued to impress, notching his 13th triple-double of the season.
This streak marks the Hawks' longest since their memorable 60-win season in 2014-15, and the league is starting to take notice. Former NBA wing Chandler Parsons chimed in on FanDuel's "Run it Back," calling Atlanta "the hottest team in the NBA right now." And he’s got a point-the Hawks are peaking just as teams gear up for the crucial stretch heading into March and April, dropping only one game since the All-Star break.
Sitting in eighth place in the Eastern Conference with a 37-31 record, the Hawks are just 1.5 games shy of the fifth seed. If they maintain this momentum, a higher playoff position is well within reach.
Jalen Johnson is solidifying his status as a rising star following his first All-Star appearance, while Alexander-Walker is making a strong case for the Most Improved Player of the Year award. If he wins, he’d be the second Hawk in as many years to earn the honor, following Dyson Daniels.
The Hawks aim to extend their winning streak to 11 games as they hit the road to face the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. Keep an eye on this team-they’re playing some of the best basketball in the league right now.