After a snake-bitten season, the Atlanta Hawks are finally in a prime position to turn their season around.
The Hawks jumped out to an early 13-8 record this year, defying all expectations in the process. Despite losing Trae Young to a knee injury in just the fifth game of the season, Atlanta’s offense was quite exciting. Kristaps Porzingis and Jalen Johnson led the scoring charge, and contributors such as Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Onyeka Okongwu, and Vit Krejci all had critical performances to seal victories in this stretch. With some injury luck, Atlanta peaked as high as third in the East. Life was good.
Since December 1st, however, Porzingis has played just five games – first missing time due to illness before nursing an Achilles injury for the past three weeks. Because they don’t have a center to fill his void in the rotation, the Hawks’ 61.9% record plummeted to 46.8%. Porzingis’s absence also exacerbated the impact of losing a player like Trae Young, as the team has limited efficient offensive creators.
Zaccharie Risacher has also missed the past eight games with a left bone contusion. While a less impactful absence than Porzingis, Atlanta has a shallow small forward rotation that has struggled with Risacher out, starting Vit Krejci and Corey Kispert in his stead.
Risacher will be back soon; Porzingis is making progress
The Hawks released an early-morning injury report for their afternoon game against the Pacers, listing Risacher as day-to-day. The team also announced that Porzingis resumed basketball activities and is set to return in a week.
An @emoryhealthcare injury update:
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 26, 2026
Kristaps Porzingis, who has missed the last eight games due to left Achilles tendinitis, is participating in basketball activity and will be re-evaluated in approximately one week.
Zaccharie Risacher, who has missed the last eight games due… pic.twitter.com/hWFRa4ODWs
This is excellent news, and it could not have come at a better time. Atlanta is currently on a two-game win streak and faces the lowly Indiana Pacers on Monday afternoon. The signing of Christian Koloko proved to be precisely what the team needed to spark a resurgence up the standings.
Atlanta still has not been fully healthy since the Young trade over two weeks ago. While it’s irrational to expect Porzingis to be healthy all season, it’s perfectly reasonable to think he could be healthy for a playoff run. With him and Risacher back in the lineup, the Hawks could fight their way into clear playoff contention.
The team sits 10th in the Eastern Conference at the moment, but is only 6 games back from the fourth seed. With a little bit of luck – primarily concerning Porzingis’s health – the Hawks could return to their early-season glory and shoot up the standings. The team has finally found its footing, and getting Porzingis and Risacher back in the lineup will only further their progress.