The Atlanta Hawks have gone through the first five games with a 3-2 record with losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers and most recently to the Washington Wizards. Given that they had a very close game the night before against the New Orleans Pelicans, it is understandable that they lost this game.
However, to anyone who watched the game, it looked as though the Hawks had some chemistry issues, and, again, there is good reason for this. The Hawks had so many injuries in the preseason that chemistry was always going to be difficult
to start the regular season totally in tune with each other.
Some of the turnovers from the Wizards game were simply players who had not played much together. Players were passing to spots where their teammates had been, rather than where they were about to go. This will change as they play together more under Nate McMillan and they know what play is being run.
The Atlanta Hawks are also getting healthy as the season goes on
The center point of the Hawks defense, Clint Capela is yet to play his regular minutes. He is still recovering from his Achillies issue in the offseason and has been on a minutes restriction for the first six games. As he comes off this restriction, he will improve the Hawks’ defense no end.
On top of this Danilo Gallinari missed the first few games of the season thanks to a shoulder injury he sustained in the preseason. He is working his way back into the rotation and working out how to play with the new players in the second unit.
Lou Williams has also had an interrupted start to the season. His steady hand was missed in the game against the Cavaliers and he has only started to work into the season in the last couple of games. This is all great news for Hawks fans as the team will gel more as the season comes together.