ESPN Analyst Gives Atlanta A Near Failing Grade For Their Season

The Atlanta Hawks came into the season with expectations, but they fell way short of those in what has been a frustrating season for them. While nobody expected the Hawks to make a run to the NBA title, it has to be disappointing to finish where they finished considering how weak the Eastern Conference has been. Atlanta still has an opportunity to make the NBA Playoffs if they can win both play-in games, but their season will likely end there in a series vs the Celtics. 

Considering how disappointing the season was, it was no surprise to see the Hawks get a near-failing grade (D-) for their season from ESPN's Kevin Pelton. 

"Unlike the teams near them in these grades, the Hawks have an outside chance of redeeming a lost season via the play-in tournament. That's unlikely as the 10th seed in the East -- needing to win two games on the road without breakout forward Jalen Johnson -- so they're likely facing a trip to the lottery after three consecutive playoff appearances. Atlanta's season was undone by the inability to get the same production out of Dejounte Murray and Trae Young as a duo as when the star guards played individually, and the Hawks now face the prospect of having to trade one of them this offseason to retool."

The Wizards and the Pistons were the only teams that finished with a lower grade than the Hawks. 

I think it is a fair grade for Atlanta given their expectations. They were expected to be competing for a top-six seed or higher in the East and the conference ended up being a lot worse than anyone expected. None of that mattered though as the Hawks find themselves in the play-in tournament for the third straight season. 

It is also fair to point out the injuries the Hawks have had to battle through. Trae Young, De'Andre Hunter, Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, and Kobe Bufkin have all missed significant time. Johnson and Okongwu are not going to be able to play against the Bulls or in another potential play-in game and could potentially be out for the season. If the Hawks get through the play-in tournament, they will be short-handed vs Boston. 

The Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers will play in the No. 7 vs No.8 game on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN, while the No. 9 Chicago Bulls and the No. 10 Atlanta Hawks will play at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The Hawks and Bulls matchup has been set for some time, but the 76ers and Heat are officially in the play-in, making for one of the most interesting play-in games since the NBA started the tournament. 

Atlanta has never lost a game in the play-in tournament and they are plenty familiar with playing in it. Two years ago, they beat Charlotte and Cleveland to get to the playoffs, then lost in five games to the No. 1 Miami Heat. Last year, they beat Miami in the first play-in game, then lost in six games to the No. 2 Boston Celtics. Trae Young has played very well in the play-in games and Atlanta is going to need him to be the best player on the court for both games. Atlanta lost the season series to the Bulls but won the most recent matchup in Chicago.

The Hawks could win both games and get to the playoffs, but they are going to have to play better than they did down the stretch. Let's see what happens on Wednesday.