The Atlanta Hawks are one of the NBA’s oldest franchises, with a history dating back to 1946. Originally founded as the Buffalo Bisons before relocating and becoming the St. Louis Hawks, the team finally settled in Atlanta in 1968. Over the decades, the Hawks have been a consistent presence in the league, known for their exciting players and playoff appearances, though they have just one championship to their name.
The franchise’s greatest success came in 1958, when the St. Louis Hawks, led by Hall of Famer Bob Pettit, won the NBA championship by defeating the Boston Celtics. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the Hawks remained competitive, with stars like Lou Hudson and Pete Maravich bringing excitement to the team.
The 1980s and early 1990s were defined by the dominance of Dominique Wilkins, one of the most electrifying scorers and dunkers in NBA history. Though the Hawks were consistently a playoff team, they were unable to break through to the NBA Finals. In the 2000s, the franchise went through a rebuilding phase but returned to relevance with a strong core led by Joe Johnson, Al Horford, and Josh Smith, making multiple playoff runs.
The Hawks reached their peak in the modern era in 2015, when they won 60 games and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals under coach Mike Budenholzer. More recently, they returned to the conference finals in 2021, led by young star Trae Young. While the team continues to develop, the Hawks remain a competitive force in the Eastern Conference, aiming to build another championship-caliber roster around their talented core. With a loyal fan base and a deep basketball history, Atlanta is always a team to watch.