The Atlanta Hawks are only ten games into the 2026-27 season, but that’s already enough time to see what’s working and what’s still hanging over this new-look roster.
At 6-4, Atlanta sits fourth in the East and has won three straight, the longest active streak in the conference. Even with Jalen Johnson resting his ankle after a recent sprain, the Hawks have started to settle in. The early returns point to a team with real offensive pop - and a frontcourt that keeps getting hit by injuries.
The clearest bright spot has been the shooting. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been at the center of it all, and the 28-year-old looks like he put in serious work over the summer.
He’s hitting 39.8% of his threes and has taken a bigger scoring load, bumping his average to 22.3 points from 20.8. He’s also creating more of his own offense, which has shown up in the highlight reel.
That included a record night against the Indiana Pacers on Nov. 2, when he buried nine threes to set the Hawks’ single-game mark. His confidence has spread through the lineup, and Onyeka Okongwu has been one of the biggest beneficiaries.
Okongwu has stepped up as a scorer, posting 16.8 points, 11.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists over his last five games. He’s playing with more force, and it’s clear he’s trying to make up for the size disadvantage with better technique and stronger finishes.
His turnaround layup at the rim has become a dependable weapon, and he’s shooting 48.6% from the field. If that physical edge holds all season, he’ll put himself in line for a new contract extension.
He hasn’t discussed his contract with the media, but the timing is hard to ignore after seeing Hawks guard Dyson Daniels land a $100 million extension in October 2025.
Another important piece has been rookie point guard Kingston Flemings. On Wednesday night, the 19-year-old moved into the starting lineup after CJ McCollum gave up the spot to his younger teammate. Over the last two games, Flemings has averaged 12.5 points, 5.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds.
It’s not something many expected this early, but Flemings has handled it well. He’s stayed composed, and his speed has given Atlanta another gear in transition. The bigger question is how that looks over a longer stretch.
Of course, the Hawks’ biggest problem is still health. Against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, forward Asa Newell hyperextended his big toe. Atlanta still won in D.C., but Newell is expected to miss at least two weeks.
That adds another blow to a frontcourt already missing pieces. Johnson is still resting his ankle, Mouhamed Gueye is working back from a left-foot fracture that required surgery, and rookie center Henri Veesaar is out for the season. The Hawks’ front line is hanging on by a thread.
There’s no simple fix for that kind of damage. Atlanta can only keep building strength and hope the bodies hold up long enough to see the full group together. Once that happens, the picture gets clearer.
The early signs suggest this roster is starting to click. The switch between Flemings and McCollum has helped change the pace, and McCollum has looked sharp leading the second unit. Aaron Wiggins, a Sixth Man Of The Year candidate, has given the Hawks a dangerous bench backcourt partner, and Lu Dort is finally finding his offensive rhythm.
The next step is consistency on defense. If they can keep that end steady and eventually get the injured players back, the Hawks’ identity should come into focus.
In Other News...
Nets Still Have A Rookie Availability Problem After Hawks Win
Brooklyns rookie rotation remains in flux as the Nets head into their next game against Dallas, with two young players still unavailable after the Hawks game left the broader picture unchanged. Egor Demin is dealing with a right leg bone bruise, while the team is also managing Mikel Brown Jr. carefully as it tries to balance development with availability early in the season.
The short-term outlook is still a waiting game. Demin will be reevaluated after the Mavericks matchup, and Browns workload remains limited as Brooklyn continues to ease him along, leaving the Nets to piece together their backcourt depth for now. Both players are viewed as possible options for the next game against New Orleans, but for the moment the rookie availability issue is still very much in play. [Read more 🡒]
Jalen Johnson Could Ease A Hawks Problem That's Getting Harder To Ignore
Jalen Johnson is trending toward a return just when the Hawks need help most in the frontcourt. He is listed as probable for Atlantas game against Brooklyn after missing three games with a left ankle sprain, and his presence would give the Hawks a much-needed boost as they try to steady a rotation that has been thinned by injuries.
Atlanta has been patching together minutes inside, with Jock Landale still sidelined and Asa Newell facing an extended absence, which has pushed rookie Zuby Ejiofor into a bigger role. Johnsons availability does not solve everything, but it at least gives the Hawks a chance to get back some size, versatility and stability in a stretch where that has become harder to find. [Read more 🡒]
Trae Youngs Atlanta Return Brought A Reaction Hawks Fans Will Debate
The early-season noise around the Southeast Division has not exactly been kind to Miami, where Andrew Wiggins has gone from a strong preseason to a rough opening stretch that has left him producing career lows in most of the usual categories. The Heat have stumbled out of the gate as a team, and Erik Spoelstra has already acknowledged Wiggins struggles while still making clear he believes the veteran wing can climb out of them.
Elsewhere in the division, Atlanta had its own moment of conversation when Trae Young came back to the city and drew a reaction from the crowd that was impossible to ignore, even if it was not the kind of reception Hawks fans will agree on. The storyline around the Hawks is already branching in a few directions, with rookie Kingston Flemings earning praise for his speed from teammates as the team continues sorting out what this season is going to look like. [Read more 🡒]