Many things can be looked at as a cause for the unprecedented resurgence of the Atlanta Hawks, but none truly capture the weight of their turnaround like their assist numbers. These guys move the ball better than any other team in the NBA. This resulting in a variety of wins comes as no surprise.
They're not just passing the rock at a solid clip; they're making history. Not just individual accolades, but organizational achievements. Franchise records. After Friday night's win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, they added one more to the books. Unselfishness goes a long way, and the 2025-26 Hawks are the latest example of that sentiment.
This is now the best passing season in Atlanta Hawks history
2,247. A new franchise record for most assists in a single season. Them achieving this feat with one game still left to be played means the previous record is set to be shattered. This is a season Hawks fans will never forget, and now it's up to the team to keep up that elite chemistry in the postseason.
It's truly how they're able to move the ball at such an elite rate. The chemistry these guys share has become undeniable. The new additions have gelled so seamlessly that it's impossible to believe they've gone through as many changes as they have.
Ethical team-ball all year.
— Zach Langley (@ZachLangleyNBA) April 11, 2026
A sight to see. This squad just gets it. https://t.co/sf60VmEkDq
Normally, when an organization makes five in-season roster transactions, it's because they're punting on the year and gearing up for a new identity by the start of the next season. While this potentially was the case at the time, the continuity this group has displayed certainly sped up the process.
Despite all the changes, they've led the league in assists per game for nearly the entire season. It was only a matter of time before they started winning, and when they did, they never looked back.
Can the Hawks keep up this dominance in the postseason?
All the regular season success won't mean a whole lot if they're unable to get it done when it matters most. They need to refine their late-game execution. While there should be no worries about them moving the ball better than their opponent for most of the night, the offense tends to go stagnant in the final minutes, especially as of late.
When there's a full lineup of proven scorers on the court to close games, it's easy to see why this is usually the case. However, talent should prevail in a playoff environment. Between CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Jalen Johnson, Atlanta has the perfect mix of scoring and playmaking to put opponents on their heels.
A well-connected group is always fun to watch, and if they can capitalize off of what they've carefully built, it can get that much more exciting.
