Atlanta Hawks' Key Storyline for 2026-27 Season Revolves Around Defense

NBA.com believes the Atlanta Hawks' key storyline for the 2026-27 season revolves around defense. 

Shaun Powell of NBA.com thinks defense will be the team's personality.

"The Hawks are fortunate to have Jalen Johnson, whose breakout season included earning All-NBA honors and assuming the franchise mantle from Trae Young. The Hawks will be defined by their defense this season, which is music to the ears of coach Quin Snyder. Over the last half-decade, the Hawks have struggled on that end of the floor, but no more, not with Lu Dort joining Dyson Daniels — both former All-Defense members — and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a solid perimeter defender. These three might compete to guard the other team’s leading scorer each night. In any event, opposing teams will find it hard to exploit mismatches against the Hawks."

The Hawks are expected to start CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu this season.

That's a strong starting five on paper. 

Atlanta lost to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2026 playoffs in six games, but remember, the Hawks were the only team to beat the Knicks twice in the 2026 postseason.

That shows how good the Hawks will be moving forward.

Atlanta's future is led by Johnson, who had a fantastic 2025-26 season for the Hawks. He averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game while shooting 48.9% from the field, 35.2% from beyond the arc and 78.8% from the free-throw line.

The Duke product recorded 49 double-doubles and 13 triple-doubles in 72 games.

The 24-year-old Johnson made his first All-Star and All-NBA team last season. The swingman made the All-NBA Third Team.

As long as he continues to improve each year, the sky is the limit for Johnson, who averaged 19.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game in the 2026 playoffs against the Knicks. 

Johnson's 13 triple-doubles last season set the Hawks franchise record. He thrived as a playmaker and finisher in Atlanta's up-tempo attack and helped lead the franchise to its most wins since the 2015-16 season.

Johnson enters this upcoming season with career averages of 14.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Atlanta's core around Johnson moving forward is Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, McCollum, Daniels, Alexander-Walker and Okongwu.   

The Hawks haven't won a playoff series since 2021. For that to change in 2027, Johnson has to be a consistent threat from deep. 

How good is Johnson? Last season, he became the fifth player in league history to put up a season in which he averaged at least 22 points, 10 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. The other four players on that list? NBA legends Wilt Chamberlain, Nikola Jokic, Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook. 

That's amazing company to be in for Johnson.

The Hawks won the Southeast Division last season. They begin the 2026-27 season on the road against the Orlando Magic on October 21.

That should be a fun game, as we get to see Johnson go up against Magic All-Star Paolo Banchero.

Atlanta was sixth in the NBA in points per game and 18th in points per game allowed last season. Let's see what those ranks are this season in Year 5 of the Quin Snyder era.