Lu Dort gave Atlanta Hawks fans a tempting preview while suiting up for Canada, turning in a big night against Argentina in FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
The incoming Hawks guard logged nearly 27 minutes and put up 25 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals. He knocked down 8 of 13 shots overall, went 4 of 9 from deep and finished 5 of 6 at the line.
For Atlanta, that kind of performance is the kind of thing that gets attention fast. Dort is heading into his eighth NBA season and his first with the Hawks after spending his first seven years with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he developed into one of the league’s top defenders.
He also became a key part of Oklahoma City’s climb back into contention. That run reached its peak in 2025, when the Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in seven games to win the franchise’s first championship.
Dort was part of that group, but Oklahoma City decided it was time to move in another direction and sent him to Atlanta in a three-team deal.
Now he starts over with a Hawks team that should have a clear idea of what he brings. They need defense and leadership, and Dort’s championship background gives him both.
Last season, he averaged 8.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists across 69 games. In the playoffs, he posted 5.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per outing.
Atlanta finished 46-36 last season and claimed the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks handled the New York Knicks well enough to compete in the first round, but they fell in six games to the eventual champions.
In Other News...
Lu Dort Gives Hawks A Defensive Edge They Desperately Needed
The recent FIBA World Cup qualifying window offered a reminder of why Lu Dorts arrival matters for Atlanta, even if the Hawks were watching from afar. Canada went 2-0, including a 97-92 win over Argentina, and Dort and Nickeil Alexander-Walker combined for 51 points in that victory, giving Atlanta a glimpse of the kind of two-way edge Dort can bring as he settles in with his new team.
What makes that fit even more intriguing is the built-in comfort level between Dort and Alexander-Walker, two players who have long been tied together on the international stage. For the Hawks, any shortcut to helping a newcomer get up to speed is valuable, especially when the player in question is expected to raise the defensive intensity right away. With that kind of familiarity in place, Atlanta has reason to believe the transition could be smoother than usual. [Read more 🡒]
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Showed Why The Hawks Need His Composure
Nickeil Alexander-Walker got a reminder of how quickly a game can get away from a team during Canadas offseason matchup with Argentina, and it was the kind of stretch that tested the same poise the Hawks are hoping to lean on. He had a slow start while trying to run the offense, with turnovers piling up as Argentina surged, but the situation also showed the value of a guard who can steady himself when things start to tilt the wrong way.
After Argentinas run, Alexander-Walker helped Canada settle back in with key plays and a more vocal presence from the bench as the team regrouped. For Atlanta, that combination of composure and communication is part of the appeal, especially for a roster that can use another player willing to absorb a rough patch and still keep everyone aligned once the game starts to slip. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Kumingas Hawks Claim Is Guaranteed To Divide Atlanta Fans
Jonathan Kumingas brief stop in Atlanta still has people talking, even after he moved on to Minnesota on a two-year deal. The Hawks got useful bench production from him in the second half of the season, including a 27-point night and a stretch of strong performances that helped steady the rotation when he was on the floor.
Now his camp is making a bolder argument: that Kuminga was the Hawks best player during his time with the team. It is the kind of claim that is sure to split fans, especially since his run in Atlanta was limited to 16 regular-season games and he was never there long enough to settle the debate in a way everyone would accept. [Read more 🡒]