The official NBA schedule has been released, and excitement is starting to spread across the league as we approach the 80th NBA season. The Atlanta Hawks are among the teams this year that are looking to show massive improvements after a highly successful 2025 offseason. Fortunately for them, they face a series of challenging tests to start the season that will show how they compare early on.
In two of their first three games, the Hawks will face a fully healthy Orlando Magic and reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Depending on Atlanta’s performance, they could begin a new era 1-2 or 3-0 with two massive wins to begin the season. It’s a decent amount of pressure for new teammates trying to learn each other’s tendencies, but the adversity will be beneficial for the Hawks.
The confidence boost will serve them mightily as they prepare for Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers in their seventh game of the season. At this point, the record could easily be 5-2 or 6-1, and they face Orlando in a rematch before playing the Los Angeles Lakers on November 8th.
Facing Luka Dončić and LeBron James will serve as a solid test for the Hawks' improved defense, which will be challenged against the league's most dynamic duo. This will be one of two matchups between the teams, with the Hawks expected to be underdogs against the West Coast powerhouse.
L.A.’s superstar talent will give Head Coach Quin Snyder a great chance to test the defensive versatility of Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels to limit Young’s struggles against the 6’6 Dončić. A Walker & Daniels backcourt will succeed against most of the league, but if they are effective against Luka, it boosts the chances of a playoff run.
Atlanta’s demanding schedule will serve as a blessing in disguise. If they lose their most challenging games early on, it will be easier to bounce back from November 12th to 25th after learning from those tough matchups.
During these 13 days, they will face the Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Pelicans, Charlotte Hornets, and Washington Wizards. The Spurs will provide the best competition, but they are still regarded as a Play-In team by the media.
A warm fall leads to a cold winter
The holiday season kicks off with a three-game slate of the Detroit Pistons, Denver Nuggets, and L.A. Clippers. Young and the Hawks lost every regular-season series last season, so these three particular teams will be on Atlanta’s hit list. Defeating all three at this point in the season is vital, as they prepare for a brutal introduction into the new year.
Atlanta will play two games against the Knicks, a rematch with the Thunder, and their first matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves on New Year's Day. This won’t be the end of the Hawks’ troubles, as they will face the Nuggets, Warriors, and Lakers consecutively from January 9th to the 13th. After they make it through their West Coast gauntlet, it’ll be a relatively moderate schedule heading into the All-Star break.
Aside from a game against the Houston Rockets on January 29th, the Hawks will have plenty of chances to improve their record if they face growing pains with their new roster. It will be their 50th game of the season, and they could reach a 30-20 record if they win the games they are favored in.
No team should be underestimated, but the Hawks are projected to end the season with a record of 47-35, according to Bleacher Report. Last season, they finished 30-22 against Eastern Conference opponents and 10-20 against Western Conference opponents. Atlanta is expected to excel in the East, so their record should improve this season regardless. However, if they dominate the West, their championship aspirations grow significantly.