Hawkscast: Raptors Sweep Hawks for the 2025-26 Season
In this episode, Tim and Mikey recap the Atlanta Hawks’ 100-118 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Toronto dominated the points in the paint, 64-44, and the transition game, 29-16, to sweep the season series. Mikey and Tim also give their thoughts on the latest reporting surrounding the Trae Young trade situation.
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What the Hawks Lose Defensively Without Kristaps Porziņģis…
The past two weeks have made one thing clear for the Atlanta Hawks. Kristaps Porziņģis is vital to their defensive success. His absence not only altered lineups but reshaped how opponents attack Atlanta on a possession-by-possession basis.
The Hawks dropped seven straight games without Porziņģis in the lineup. Those losses followed a consistent pattern. Opponents comfortably attacked the paint, guards turned the corner with less resistance, and backline rotations arrived a step too slow. The effort level remained competitive, but Atlanta lacked the structural support behind its defense.
Porziņģis’ defensive value starts at the rim. At 7-foot-3-inches tall, his presence alone deters drives and forces offenses to settle for pull-up jumpers rather than shots at the basket. Without him, Atlanta’s defensive margin for error narrowed significantly. Onyeka Okongwu was forced to cover more ground, switching onto perimeter players while still anchoring the paint. That workload stretched the defense thin, especially late in games.
Kristaps Porzingis now ranks as the fifth-most impactful player in the NBA this season with a +6.0 EPM 👀 pic.twitter.com/J1wNJnwDlb
— Kevin Keneely (@KevinKeneely1) January 1, 2026
The Hawks’ seven-game losing streak without Porziņģis highlighted that strain. Defensive possessions became longer. Second-chance opportunities increased. Teams generated cleaner looks late in the shot clock because Atlanta lacked a backline eraser waiting at the rim. Those small breakdowns compounded, turning manageable stretches into decisive runs for opponents.
The contrast was immediate when Porziņģis returned on Dec. 31. Atlanta won both games he played against the Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks, and they held New York to a season low 99 points. The defensive tone changed quickly. Ball handlers hesitated at the free-throw line, and help defenders stayed home on shooters. Okongwu was freed to play more aggressive defense away from the rim, knowing there was size behind him in the lineup.
Kristaps Porzingis Defense Tape 1/2 vs NYK
~ 8 Points Allowed
~ Held Opponents to 4/10 FG
– 2 StealsATL On/Off Def Rating w/KP (via @PivotFade)
– 17 Minutes
– On Court Def Rating: 86.8
– Off Court Def Rating: 100Thoughts on his defense tonight? pic.twitter.com/vpVLj0DHcq
— Hoopology (@hoopologyxx) January 3, 2026
Those two wins reinforced how the Hawks are built. This roster is designed to defend in layers. Okongwu provides mobility, switching, and physicality, while Porziņģis gives length, rim protection, and vertical deterrence. Together, they allow Atlanta to pressure the ball without overcommitting and protect the paint without collapsing the perimeter.
That balance was missing against the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 3. With Porziņģis sidelined, the Hawks fell once more. The loss was not about effort or execution alone. It was about defensive sustainability. Toronto attacked downhill, forced rotations, and capitalized on Atlanta’s lack of rim protection, scoring 60 points in the paint.
Defensive possessions define winning basketball late in the season. Over the last two weeks, Atlanta’s defense has shown it can survive without Porziņģis for short stretches, but survival is not the same as consistency. The seven-game losing streak exposed how quickly the defense slips when one piece is missing. The two wins with Porziņģis back underscored how much cleaner everything looks when the frontcourt is intact.
This stretch has clarified the Hawks’ formula. Okongwu raises the defensive floor with effort and versatility. Porziņģis raises the ceiling by eliminating entire sections of the floor. When both are healthy, Atlanta can defend with confidence rather than caution.
Hawkscast: Defense, 4th-Quarter Turnovers Sink Hawks Against Raptors
In this episode, Tim and Mikey break down the Atlanta Hawks’ 117-134 loss to the Toronto Raptors. The Hawks gave up 60 points in the paint, and their defense struggled throughout the night. An 11-point, seven-turnover fourth quarter sunk Atlanta’s comeback chances. Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the team with 30 and 31 points, respectively.
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Hawkscast: Hawks Hold Off Knicks For First Win…
Tim and Chris break down the Hawks’ big 111–99 win over the Knicks, highlighted by a standout night from Onyeka Okongwu. With Trae Young sidelined, Okongwu stepped up in a major way—finishing with 23 points and 9 rebounds, knocking down a pair of timely threes, and bringing nonstop energy on both ends of the floor. The guys also hand out their 3 Keys for the Hawks to secure another win on the second night of a back-to-back as they head to Toronto tomorrow night.
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Hawkscast: Hawks Snap Skid With Blowout Win Over…
In this episode, Tim and Mikey recap the Atlanta Hawks’ 126-102 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Hawks turned in a much-needed dominant defensive performance, holding Minnesota to 43% shooting. Jalen Johnson totaled 34 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists on 15-of-22 from the field to lead Atlanta.
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Hawkscast: Shorthanded Hawks Crumble Late Against Thunder for…
In this episode, Tim and Mikey break down the Atlanta Hawks’ 129-140 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, and Kristaps Porziņģis missed this game for Atlanta. The Hawks tied their franchise record with 25 threes in the game to keep it close, but Oklahoma City scored 70 points in the paint to counter.
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Hawkscast: Hawks Have Winless Homestand After Falling to…
In this episode, Tim and Mikey recap the Atlanta Hawks’ 125-128 loss to the New York Knicks. Atlanta gave up 19 offensive rebounds for 23 New York second-chance points. The Hawks were down 18 points late in the third frame, but their comeback just fell short on the final possession.
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Hawkscast: Hawks Fall to Heat for 5th Straight…
In this episode, Tim and Mikey break down the Atlanta Hawks’ 111-126 loss to the Miami Heat. The Hawks committed 21 turnovers against the fastest-paced team in the league- not a recipe for winning basketball. Trae Young led Atlanta with 30 points, while Jalen Johnson added 24 points, 10 assists, and nine boards. Norman Powell led Miami with 25 points, and Pelle Larsson scored a career-high 21.
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Hawkscast: Bulls Sweep Hawks at State Farm Arena
In this episode, Tim and Mikey recap the Atlanta Hawks’ two-game mini-series with the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls won both games, as Atlanta’s defense struggled to keep them out of the paint. Chicago scored 66 and 64 points in the paint, respectively, and Atlanta fell short inside the final minute in both contests.
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Hawkscast: Hawks Suffer Blowout Loss to Spurs at…
In this episode, Mikey breaks down the Atlanta Hawks’ 98-126 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio grabbed a double-digit lead at the end of the first quarter and never let up. Victor Wembanyama was on a minutes restriction off the bench, but he collected 26 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks in 21 minutes. The Hawks shot just 40% from the field and 25% from deep.
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Hawkscast: Trae Young Returns, but Hawks Fall to…
In this episode, Mikey recaps the Atlanta Hawks’ 126-133 Atlanta Hawks’ loss to the Charlotte Hornets. Trae Young played his first game since Oct. 29, but Charlotte’s 80-point first half was too much for the Hawks to overcome. The Hornets shot 24-of-49 from deep. Jalen Johnson scored a career-high 43 points with 11 rebounds and nine assists, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 28 points off the bench.
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Hawkscast: Hawks Survive Down the Stretch Against 76ers
In this episode, Tim and Mikey break down the Atlanta Hawks’ 120-117 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Hawks almost gave the game away inside the final seconds, but they got a clutch stop to seal the victory. Dyson Daniels collected a season-high 27 points and 10 rebounds, while Jalen Johnson dropped his fourth-straight triple-double.
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The Balancing Act Atlanta Faces With Trae Young’s…
Trae Young is expected to return to practice next week- a development that signals a turning point in the Atlanta Hawks’ season and reopens a complex basketball equation. The Hawks have weathered his absence, posting a 12-9 record without him and navigating injuries and rotation shifts. The contrast is stark when compared to the 2-3 mark in games Young appeared in earlier this season. Those numbers alone do not define impact, but they frame the challenge awaiting the coaching staff, as the franchise centerpiece moves closer to rejoining the lineup.
An @emoryhealthcare injury update:
Trae Young sustained a right knee MCL sprain on Oct. 29 at Brooklyn. He continues to increase his reconditioning activities and is expected to return to practice next week. His status will be updated as appropriate. pic.twitter.com/XfqPsHUv1z
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 13, 2025
Young’s return immediately raises the offensive ceiling. Few guards in the league bend defenses the way he does, both with the ball in his hands and through the attention he commands beyond the arc. His presence alone alters spacing, unlocks pick-and-roll options, and increases role players’ efficiency because they thrive off his catch-and-shoot creation. Atlanta missed that gravitational pull, even while finding ways to win through defense, balance, and a more egalitarian offensive structure.
That structure has been closely tied to the rise of Jalen Johnson. He took on a dramatically expanded role when Young went down. More possessions flow through him as a scorer, facilitator, and decision-maker. The results are undeniable, as better production followed increased responsibility. Johnson attacks mismatches, pushes the ball in transition, and initiates offense from the elbows and the top of the floor. His confidence is growing, averaging 23.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 8.0 assists through 26 contests.
Trae Young and Jalen Johnson 2-man game pic.twitter.com/UbAOQN4k2t
— r/nba_highlights (@rNBAHighlights) July 3, 2025
The dilemma facing Atlanta is not whether Young should reclaim his role. That is inevitable. The question centers around re-integrating a high-usage star without diminishing the progress that fueled recent success. Young traditionally commands one of the highest usage rates among NBA guards, often hovering near 30%. Johnson’s surge saw his usage spike to 26.4%, creating overlap that must be managed.
Young’s return directly addresses Atlanta’s late-game instability, an area that undermines otherwise strong performances this season. Without a consistent on-ball closer, the Hawks too often rely on improvised creation on final possessions. This vulnerability was exposed most clearly against the Philadelphia 76ers, when an eight-point lead vanished in the final 49 seconds of regulation. Defensive breakdowns played a role, but the absence of a steady offensive organizer magnified every mistake.
All 37 of Trae Young's lead leading clutch assists pic.twitter.com/VjnzywWNQU
— Pitless (@pitlessball) April 19, 2025
Young’s presence changes that dynamic. His usage rate in clutch situations at 39% for the 2024-25 season ranks among the league’s highest, reflecting both trust and necessity. He controls tempo, forces defensive switches, and draws fouls at an elite rate when games tighten. Those traits shorten possessions, limit turnovers, and reduce the volatility that plagues Atlanta in closing moments. Restoring the late-game structure may prove just as valuable as any scoring surge when evaluating the true impact of Young’s return.
Young returning to practice represents a recalibration rather than a return to old habits. Atlanta is not being asked to undo the progress made during his absence, but to integrate it into a more complete structure. The challenge lies in blending Young’s high-usage creation with a forward in Johnson who demonstrates the ability to sustain near-primary offensive responsibility. If that balance is achieved, the Hawks do more than regain a star. They solidify an adaptable identity of sustaining success at a higher level.
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Hawkscast: Hawks Suffer Blowout Loss to Pistons
In this episode, Tim and Mikey recap the Atlanta Hawks’ 115-142 loss to the Detroit Pistons. Atlanta committed 20 turnovers, leading to 30 Detroit fastbreak points. The Pistons also outscored the Hawks, 72-50, in the paint. Jalen Johnson notched a franchise-record third straight triple-double with 19 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds.
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