The Atlanta Hawks Are Stuck in Neutral - Can Quin Snyder Find the Right Gear Before It’s Too Late?
The Atlanta Hawks were flying high in November. A 10-5 stretch to close out the fall had them looking like a team ready to make some noise in the East.
They strung together big wins on the West Coast, knocking off contenders and flashing the kind of cohesion that had been missing early in the year. But as the calendar flipped and winter settled in, so did the cold reality of inconsistency.
December hit hard. The Hawks opened the holiday season with a brutal 1-4 skid, including two gut-punch one-point losses to Denver and Detroit - games that slipped through their fingers in the final moments. That stretch deflated whatever momentum they had built, and the optimism around the team quickly turned to frustration.
After a narrow win over the Sixers on December 18, Atlanta spiraled into a seven-game losing streak. And just like that, the holiday spirit around the franchise gave way to a storm cloud of doubt. But in typical Hawks fashion, just when things looked bleakest, they found a spark - and once again, it was Jalen Johnson leading the charge.
From New Year’s Eve through January 11, the Hawks went 5-2, including a statement win over the Timberwolves and a bit of payback against the Nuggets. Johnson was everywhere - slashing to the rim, defending multiple positions, and giving the team the kind of two-way versatility they desperately need. It looked like the Hawks might be turning a corner.
Then came another dip. After a win over the Warriors on January 13, Atlanta dropped four straight.
They bounced back with four consecutive victories, but the pattern was clear: this team can’t seem to string together a sustained run. Just when they look ready to climb, they slip.
Now, with the trade deadline in the rearview and the All-Star break finally here, the Hawks have a chance to hit reset. But if they’re going to make a real playoff push, they’ve got to find consistency - and that starts with the rotation.
Who’s Closing Games - and Why It Matters
Head coach Quin Snyder has been under fire from the fanbase, and not without reason. His late-game lineups have leaned heavily toward offense, even in matchups where defense should’ve been the priority. That approach has cost the Hawks some very winnable games - and with the standings tightening, every loss matters more.
Take Mouhamed Gueye, for example. The 23-year-old forward has hit a wall on the offensive end, no doubt.
But defensively? He’s one of Atlanta’s best.
His wiry frame may hurt him on the boards, but it’s a weapon on the perimeter. Gueye’s agility and 7’3 ½ wingspan give him the tools to switch onto guards, contest shots, and protect the rim.
He’s learning on the fly, but he needs reps - especially in crunch time.
Instead, Snyder has leaned on veterans like CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert in those moments. While both bring offensive skill and experience, they’ve struggled defensively and made some questionable decisions late in games.
The result? More close losses.
Then there’s Zaccharie Risacher. The former No. 1 overall pick had a breakout rookie season, but his sophomore campaign has been a grind.
After flashing 30-point potential last year, he’s now barely cracking double digits as a starter. The coaching staff has narrowed his role into a 3-and-D specialist, and while his defense has been strong, his offensive rhythm has taken a hit.
Like Gueye, Risacher often finds himself on the bench in the fourth quarter. And again, it’s a tough call.
His jumper has been streaky, but his length and instincts on defense could be game-changing in tight matchups. If the Hawks are serious about developing their young core - and winning now - they need to find a way to keep their most impactful defenders on the floor when it counts.
The Clock Is Ticking
The Hawks are stuck in a cycle right now - a few steps forward, a few steps back. And as the playoff picture starts to take shape, that kind of inconsistency just won’t cut it. Snyder has to find his closing group, trust his young talent, and commit to a rotation that can get stops when it matters most.
This season clearly hasn’t gone the way the front office envisioned. And with the team already having moved on from a franchise icon in Trae Young, nothing - and no one - is off the table.
If Atlanta misses the playoffs for a third straight year, change is coming. And that likely starts with the head coach.
For now, the All-Star break offers a brief pause - a chance to recalibrate, reset, and refocus. But once the games resume, the margin for error disappears.
The Hawks have talent. They’ve shown flashes.
But unless they can finally break the cycle, they’ll be watching the postseason from home again.