It is Starting To Feel Like 2021 In Atlanta, But Can the Hawks Actually Replicate That Run?

The Hawks have been the NBA's hottest team since the All-Star and have risen in the standings, but are they real threats to make a run?

Apr 1, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic in the first quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Heading into the All-Star Breakm the Atlanta Hawks were 26-30 and 10th in the Eastern Conference standings. They were an after thought in any playoff discussions and had remade their team with the additions of CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert, Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, and Gabe Vincent. Trae Young was no longer the face of the franchise and it appeared that after the offseason of hype and impact additions, Atlanta was heading for a regrouping in the summer.

Let me take you back five years.

The Hawks had been outside of the playoff picture for three seasons and heading into the 2020-2021 season, they made big moves to sign Bogdan Bogdanovic , Rajon Rondo, and Danillo Gallanari. Rondo was later traded for Lou Williams at the deadline, a move that would prove crucial for the run to come.

Atlanta also made the move to fire then head coach Lloyd Pierce after a 14-20 start. The Hawks were No. 11 in the Eastern Conference and left behind in any serious playoff discussion.

Atlanta finished the 2020-2021 season on a torrid pace, ending with a 27-11 record down the stretch and earning the No. 5 seed in the playoffs. They beat the New York Knicks in five games in round one, stunned the 76ers in the conference semifinals, and then lost to Milwaukee in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. It was the deepest run in Atlanta Hawks history and the franchise has not seen that level of success since.

History repeating itself?

Mar 16, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder shown on the bench during the game against the Orlando Magic during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

While not exact parralels, there are some stark similiarities to this team and the team that made the run to the conference finals five years ago.

The Hawks are 18-3 since the All Star break and have been one of the top all-around teams in the league since then. Jalen Johnson continues his rise to stardom, Nickeil Alexander-Walker is making his case for Most Improved Player, Dyson Daniels remains one of the elite perimeter defenders in the NBA, Onyeka Okongwu is arguably the most underrated center in the league, and the bench has flashed with Jonathan Kuminga and former No.1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher.

Just like 2021, Atlanta sits in 5th place in the Eastern Conference and is not getting the kind of respect you would think. Right now, they would be facing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs, and while this Cleveland tough is much tougher than the Knicks team Atlanta beat in 2021 in the first round, they are no juggernaut, and the Hawks have a much better chance at winning that series than you might think.

This Hawks team was made up as the season went along while the 2021 team did not add much throughout their season, but their goals are the same. Get into the playoffs and prove they belong.

They have much to prove, but there are signs of 2021 hanging all around this team as we get closer and closer to the postseason.