McCollum's selfless approach anchors Atlanta's winning streak. He prioritizes team needs, fueling their playoff push with veteran wisdom and clutch scoring.
The Atlanta Hawks didn’t overhaul their system or make a blockbuster move to ignite their recent surge. Instead, one lineup adjustment changed the rhythm of the team — and veteran guard CJ McCollum has been at the center of it.
Since McCollum moved into the starting lineup, Atlanta has rattled off nine straight wins, giving the young roster both stability and late-season momentum as the playoff race tightens in the Eastern Conference.
For McCollum, however, the conversation goes beyond just starting or coming off the bench. It has more to do with winning.
“For me, it’s whatever the team needs,” McCollum told reporters after Atlanta’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks. “Historically I’ve been a starter, but I’m comfortable playing whatever role is necessary for us, as long as we’re competing for something.”
That mindset has resonated with a Hawks roster built largely around youth. While Atlanta has relied heavily on players like Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels for energy and production, McCollum has provided the type of veteran presence the team lacked earlier in the season.
Johnson said the veteran guard’s impact extends well beyond scoring.
“CJ’s been a great vet to come in, and he understands the game at an elite level,” Johnson said. “Having him on the court with us, he just shows us little pointers where we can be effective.”
That guidance has come at a crucial time. The Hawks have been searching for consistency throughout the season, and McCollum’s insertion into the starting five has helped settle the offense while giving Atlanta another reliable playmaker.
His scoring ability has also remained a major factor. McCollum delivered a 30-point performance in the win over Milwaukee, continuing a stretch in which he has helped drive Atlanta’s post–All-Star break success.
Still, McCollum insists the focus remains on the team’s collective progress rather than his personal role.
“I’m just doing my job,” he said. “I told them when I got here I’d do whatever you guys need me to do — come off the bench, start. Whatever it takes to be successful.”
That approach has helped the Hawks build momentum, even if the standings haven’t shifted dramatically yet. Atlanta remains in a tightly packed Eastern Conference race, where every win carries significant postseason implications.
Beyond this season, McCollum’s future in Atlanta remains uncertain. The veteran guard is on an expiring contract and could draw attention across the league once free agency begins.
Asked whether he would welcome the opportunity to remain with the Hawks long-term, McCollum kept the answer simple.
“That’s not up to me,” he said. “I like it here. But right now it’s about playing winning basketball.”
For the moment, that philosophy is working. And as long as the Hawks keep stacking wins, McCollum appears content letting the results speak louder than the role.