Hawks Outperforming Expectations entering All-Star Break

Forward Jalen Johnson drives across the baseline. Johnson has improved year after year, now averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds per game. He has been instrumental in the Atlanta Hawks success this season. // Photo courtesy of Dale Zanine-Imagn ImagesThe Atlanta Hawks’ success in this 2024-2025 campaign has been a surprise to everyone but the team itself.

The offseason started with a much-needed boom for the Hawks. Early in the offseason, the Hawks surprisingly won the NBA Draft Lottery, giving them the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft despite only having a three percent chance to win. After much discussion, the Hawks chose French power forward, 19-year-old Zaccharie Risacher over the…