Four Important Dates Left On Atlanta Hawks Calendar
Through 59 games, the Atlanta Hawks season has been a disappointment. After going all-in with the Dejounte Murray trade last summer, the team has a subpar 29-30 record and sits at 8th in the Eastern Conference standings.
Luckily, there is still plenty of time to turn around the season before it's too late. Below are four important dates every Hawks fan should mark in their calendars as we embark on the final stretch of the regular season.
Buyout Deadline
With the NBA trade deadline in the rearview mirror, teams have turned the focus to the buyout market. While buyout candidates rarely move the needle for contending teams, it is still disappointing that Atlanta has steered clear of any buyout talks.
Wednesday, March 1, marks the end of the buyout market period because it is the final day for the player who was bought out to find a new team and remain eligible for the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
Miami Heat Series
Atlanta is three games behind the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference standings. To avoid the dreaded NBA Play-In Tournament, Atlanta must leapfrog Miami, and the process begins with two crucial road games.
Miami hosts Atlanta in a back-to-back series on Sunday, March 4, and Tuesday, March 6, in the Sunshine State. The divisional rivals split their two matchups earlier this season, so the remaining two games carry serious postseason implications.
Washington Wizards Series
Atlanta must not only look above them in the standings but also fend off teams behind them. The Washington Wizards are only a half-game behind Atlanta in the Eastern Conference standings and were trending in the right direction entering the All-Star break.
Despite being in the same division, Atlanta and Washington have yet to play each other this season. That will soon change as the teams will face off four times down the final stretch. Fans should mark February 28, March 8, March 10, and April 5 as important dates.
Play-In Tournament
While obtaining the Eastern Conference sixth seed is Atlanta's goal, the team will most likely find themselves in the NBA Play-In Tournament for the second consecutive season.
The NBA Play-In Tournament will organize between April 11–14. The teams with the seventh-highest and eighth-highest winning percentages in each conference will have two opportunities to win one game to earn a playoff spot. The teams with the ninth-highest and tenth-highest winning percentages in each conference will have to win two consecutive games to earn a playoff spot.
