The Atlanta Hawks are now tied for third place in the Eastern Conference with a 9-5 record after a 124-122 victory against the Phoenix Suns. The Hawks are on a five-game win streak and have gone 8-2 after losing Trae Young to a knee injury early in their fifth game of the season.
Many have theorized that Young’s absence has caused this hot stretch, or at the very least that he isn’t as impactful as we previously believed. When watching the team play basketball, however, it is incredibly difficult to come to this conclusion. Atlanta has faced the easiest 10-game stretch of the season, with its “difficult” games coming against extremely shorthanded Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers sides, as well as a thoroughly underwhelming Orlando Magic team.
Instead, Young’s absence has shown Hawks fans that the team is ready to compete today. Jalen Johnson is in the midst of yet another breakout season, dominating the paint regardless of his matchup. Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker have continued to wreak havoc on the defensive side while taking massive leaps in their offensive development. Onyeka Okongwu has shown the ability to play like a truly elite center, and the bench unit has been quite impressive.
The Hawks are in prime positioning to make a playoff run
The question shouldn’t be whether Atlanta is better without Young. Instead, fans should be asking how Trae fits into a team with an offensive pulse for the first time in his career.
Young has flaunted a polarizing brand of basketball through seven seasons, but this has been a necessary reality. With zero star-caliber supporting talent and, generally speaking, limited offensive supporting talent, Young has been forced to be the beating heart that powers the Hawks’ offense.
But it is a new day in Atlanta. Jalen Johnson has averaged 21.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.8 steals while only dipping below league average efficiency in two of his 11 games. In short, he has become the star we all know he could be and is shooting the three ball at a career-high 35.5%.
NAW, Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, Vit Krejci, and Kristaps Porzingis all provide other offensive options with a diverse set of strengths to round out an Atlanta offense that finally looks complete.
Now, Young will have to find the balance between powering the offense and letting his team cook. If he can fall back into a role akin to Tyrese Haliburton’s playmaking-first brand of hoops, there isn’t a better team in the Eastern Conference this season.