The 2026-27 NBA season is finally here.
Well, not quite. There's still a few days before Atlanta makes their preseason debut, with the regular season tipping off just a couple of weeks after. Still, it's time to get excited. The wait is nearly over.
Many teams are anticipating a slow start. A feeling-out period. It's what comes naturally as a result of wild offseason movement. New rosters take time to gel, understandably. Luckily for the Hawks, they mostly brought back the same group that found incredible success in the back-half of last season, with some bench additions who should fit right in.
If there was ever a time for them to make their mark - it's this month
Happy October!
With opening night looming, and many questions surrounding many of Atlanta's Eastern Conference rivals, they have a perfect opportunity to start the year strong.
They had no trouble with their first opponent - the Orlando Magic - last season, sweeping them four games to none.
After they travel to Orlando to hopefully begin the season 1-0, they'll remain on the road to take on the Charlotte Hornets. Charlotte, while successful in their climb last season, looks drastically different. It's without a doubt going to take time for them to adjust to post-LaMelo Ball life.
It's after those two games that Atlanta finally gets to return home and play in front of the passionate State Farm Arena crowd.
They'll face the Houston Rockets at home on Oct. 24, before playing them once more on the road two days later. A home back-to-back awaits them immediately after, with the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers in town.
They close out the month by traveling to New Orleans, taking on the Pelicans on Halloween night.
It's certainly no easy start to the schedule, but as long as Atlanta leans on their familiarity, they should have the advantage.
Starting out hot is crucial, before these teams find their true rhythm
The feeling-out period only lasts so long.
Hawks fans know it good and well. It took some time for last year's new-look roster to gel after the Trae Young trade, but once they found their rhythm, they were unstoppable for the rest of the regular season.
If Atlanta starts the season hot, it could motivate them to stay there. Maybe they'll end up as this year's Pistons - hopefully without the second-round exit.
Basketball returns this month. It's finally time.
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