Acquired by the Hawks this morning, Jock Landale turned in a monster debut just hours later, finishing with 26 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks. He also tied a career high by knocking down five 3-pointers, a wrinkle that immediately stood out within the offense.

The performance placed Landale in rare company. He became just the second player in Hawks history to record 20+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists in his debut, joining Glenn Robinson, who last did it on Oct. 30, 2002.

Beyond the box score, the debut raised some intriguing questions about fit and opportunity. Landale spaced the floor, facilitated from the elbows, protected the rim, and looked comfortable playing at pace despite having virtually no runway with the group. For a team still sorting through rotations and identity after multiple recent moves, that kind of instant adaptability matters.

It also adds another layer to Atlanta’s frontcourt picture. Whether this was a one-night jolt or an early sign of a meaningful role going forward remains to be seen, but the tools he showed — shooting range, decision-making, and physicality — all travel.

Hawks fans: How surprised were you by Landale’s debut, and what kind of role do you think he should have going forward?