Table of Contents
Atlanta Hawks
Origins as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks
The franchise began in 1946 as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, representing Moline and Rock Island, Illinois, and Davenport, Iowa.1)
Joining the NBA
The team became part of the NBA in 1949 after the merger of the BAA and NBL.2)
Move to Milwaukee
In 1951, the Blackhawks moved to Milwaukee and were renamed the Milwaukee Hawks.3)
Final Relocation to Atlanta
The franchise moved to Atlanta in 1968, where it became the Atlanta Hawks.4)
First and Only Championship
The Hawks won their only NBA Championship in 1958, when they were based in St. Louis.5)
Bob Pettit – The Hawks’ GOAT
Bob Pettit was a two-time MVP (1956, 1959) and led the team to its only championship.6)
Dominique Wilkins
The Human Highlight Film – Wilkins was a nine-time NBA All-Star and one of the greatest dunkers in history.7)
Dikembe Mutombo’s Defensive Legacy
Mutombo won two Defensive Player of the Year awards with the Hawks in the late '90s.8)
Joe Johnson’s Iso Legacy
Johnson led the Hawks in the 2000s and was known for his “Iso Joe” clutch scoring.9)
Trae Young’s New Era
Since being drafted in 2018, Trae Young has been the face of the franchise, leading the team to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals.10)
First NBA Finals Appearance
The team made its first Finals appearance in 1957 but lost to the Celtics.11)
Breaking the 60-Win Mark
In 2014-15, the Hawks won a franchise-record 60 games and had four All-Stars.12)
Record 19-Game Win Streak
The Hawks set a franchise record with a 19-game win streak in the 2014-15 season.13)
First No. 1 Seed in the East
In 2015, Atlanta earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time.14)
Dominique Wilkins’ 57-Point Game
Wilkins holds the franchise record for points in a game with 57, set in 1986.15)
Red Holzman’s Short Stint
Before becoming a legendary Knicks coach, Red Holzman coached the Hawks for two seasons.16)
Lenny Wilkens’ Impact
Wilkens coached the Hawks from 1993-2000, leading them to multiple playoff appearances.17)
Mike Budenholzer’s 2015 Success
Budenholzer won Coach of the Year in 2015 after leading the Hawks to a 60-22 record.18)
Nate McMillan’s Playoff Run
McMillan took over in 2021 and led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals.19)
First Black GM in NBA History
In 1970, the Hawks hired Pat Williams, the first African American general manager in NBA history.20)
State Farm Arena
The Hawks play at State Farm Arena, previously known as Philips Arena, since 1999.21)
Best Crowd in the East?
Atlanta is known for having a passionate and star-studded crowd, with celebrities frequently attending games.22)
Harry the Hawk
The team’s mascot, Harry the Hawk, has been entertaining fans since the 1980s.23)
Hawks & Hip-Hop Culture
Atlanta’s hip-hop scene is deeply connected with the Hawks, with artists like Ludacris and 2 Chainz supporting the team.24)
The Peachtree Jerseys
The Hawks’ Peachtree-themed alternate jerseys pay homage to Atlanta’s famous streets and culture.25)
Celtics Rivalry
The Hawks and Celtics had a fierce rivalry in the 1950s and 1980s, meeting multiple times in the playoffs.26)
Heat Rivalry
The Hawks and Heat have had multiple playoff battles, including the 2022 first-round series.27)
Knicks Rivalry
Atlanta and New York’s rivalry peaked in 2021, when Trae Young became the “villain” at Madison Square Garden.28)
76ers Playoff Battles
The Hawks have faced the 76ers in multiple playoff series, most notably the 2021 upset victory.29)
Most Points in a Game (Team)
The Hawks scored a franchise-record 161 points against the Warriors in 1970.30)
Most Points in a Game (Team)
The Hawks scored a franchise-record 161 points against the Bulls in 2019.31)
Most Rebounds in a Game (Player)
Bob Pettit grabbed 39 rebounds in a single game in 1956.32)
First Team to Wear Sleeved Jerseys
The Hawks were among the first teams to experiment with sleeved jerseys in 2014.33)
Longest Playoff Streak
The Hawks made the playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons (2008-2017).34)
Only Team to Have a 5-All-Star Starting Lineup
In 2015, all five starters (Horford, Millsap, Teague, Korver, Carroll) won Eastern Conference Player of the Month together.35)
The Spud Webb Dunk Surprise
At just 5’7”, Spud Webb won the 1986 Slam Dunk Contest, shocking the world.36)
First Team to Draft a Woman
In 1977, the Hawks drafted Lusia Harris, the first woman ever officially drafted by an NBA team.37)
Atlanta’s "MLK Day" Games
The Hawks host an annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day game to honor his legacy.38)
Trae Young’s Record-Breaking Debut
Young scored 35 points and 11 assists in just his fourth NBA game.39)
First NBA Team with a Black PA Announcer
The Hawks hired Ryan Cameron, making history with a Black play-by-play announcer.40)
Young & Murray Backcourt
The Hawks’ pairing of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray aims to be one of the best duos in the league.41)
Potential Championship Contenders?
The Hawks have built a deep, young roster aiming for a championship run.42)
Ownership’s Commitment
Tony Ressler, the team’s owner, has committed to keeping the Hawks competitive.43)
Upcoming Renovations?
State Farm Arena continues to be upgraded to enhance fan experiences.44)
The Next Superstar?
Will Trae Young lead Atlanta to its first championship in over 65 years? Only time will tell!45)
The Origin of the "Hawks" Name
The team name “Hawks” comes from Black Hawk, a Native American leader of the Sauk tribe. When the franchise was based in the Tri-Cities (Moline, Rock Island, and Davenport), it was named the Tri-Cities Blackhawks in honor of Black Hawk’s legacy. The name was later shortened to Hawks when the team moved to Milwaukee in 1951.46)