As we battle bad weather across the United States, the Atlanta Hawks are persevering through their own adversity on the court. Even with their 23-25 record, they’re making history this season, and it’s encouraging as we approach the All-Star break.
Jalen Johnson has led the Hawks to a three-game winning streak, and the highlight of their recent success has been the excellent teamwork. According to NBA CrazyStats, the Hawks are passing the ball at a historic rate, averaging an astronomical 31.1 assists per game.
It ranks this young Hawks roster third all-time behind the 1978-79 Milwaukee Bucks (31.2) and the ‘84-’85 Los Angeles Lakers (31.4). Although the ‘79 Bucks finished 38-44, the Showtime Lakers claimed the NBA title in the summer of ‘85.
For Atlanta, they’re developing their own identity through their ball movement, and it's unlocked the potential of this young core. It’s also translated to more shot attempts for the entire roster, and as of January 28th, the Hawks rank 5th in three-point field goal percentage as a team (37.1%).
It’s an interesting stat since Dyson Daniels is thriving without shooting the three-ball, a very rare achievement for modern-day shooting guards. He’s relied on his slashing and athleticism to maintain his average of 11.8 points per game.
The most impressive part of his performance this season has been his versatility as a combo guard. Even before Trae Young’s departure, Daniels was showing flashes of a promising playmaker, and now he has established himself as a primary ball handler due to Young's removal as the ball-dominant player.
Dyson is averaging 6.2 assists per game behind Johnson, who leads the team with 7.9 per game. Both of them have formed a cohesive combination, even with the Australian’s limited arsenal on offense. His sneaky back doors and floaters have him shooting 50.3% from the field.
Just two nights ago, during Hawks Vs Pacers, Daniels recorded the best highlight play of his career with a posterizer on Center Micah Potter. He broke down the play during the post-game press conference, and Hawks reporter Kevin Chouinard reported his comments on X.
Dyson Daniels, on the dunk:
— Kevin Chouinard (@KLChouinard) January 26, 2026
"I caught it on the half-roll and I liked what I saw, so I went up and made the play. My coaches and teammates always tell me that they've never seen me dunk on anyone, so I told them, 'I'll give you one a year.'" https://t.co/is86MbencF
It was an excellent fastbreak that Jalen started, who has been at the heart of their playmaking all season. He’s dished out a team-high 349 assists thus far, and there are 34 games left in the season. His abilities as a point forward have taken center stage, a result of Quin Snyder’s offensive sets.
Hawks are in a new era headlined by a new playstyle
This is Atlanta’s best bench + starting unit of the last four years. It’s allowed Snyder to finally make his impression on the team ever since his arrival in 2023.
It’ll still take time as they work out their issues at the center position, but with a potential top-3 pick on the way, they have a bright future to look forward to. Of course, they’ll continue to compete for the rest of this season, but their championship hopes seem slim with this current roster.
The 2025-26 season is considered a step in the right direction rather than a win-now campaign. Trading Young had been an impending reality for years, and it still shook the league when it happened on January 7th.
Now they’re moving forward with Johnson as their star and a new defense-first playstyle. Filling in their holes for long-term stability will require proper draft selection. The Hawks’ front office is hellbent on keeping the New Orleans Pelicans’ pick, even with Giannis Antetokounmpo in trade rumors, so it’s evident their plan is already in motion.
In a few days, Jalen Johnson will be selected as an NBA All-Star for the first time, signaling the official dawn of a new era. It will reaffirm the decision to build around the rising 24-year-old, with an emphasis on ball movement and defense.