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Tag: Atlanta Hawks

  • NBA Trade Report: CJ McCollum agrees to one-year, $21M contract extension with Atlanta Hawks

    NBA Trade Report: CJ McCollum agrees to one-year, $21M contract extension with Atlanta Hawks

    The Atlanta Hawks have secured the services of veteran guard CJ McCollum for the foreseeable future after the 34-year-old reportedly agreed to a one-year, $21 million contract extension with the franchise.

     

    NBA insider Shams Charania broke the news on X (formerly Twitter), reporting that McCollum’s new deal also includes a trade kicker and was negotiated by agent Sam Goldfeder of Excel Sports Management. The extension ensures that McCollum will bypass free agency this offseason, having been eligible to sign a new deal until June 30.

     

    McCollum’s arrival in Atlanta earlier this year proved to be a significant midseason boost for the Hawks. Acquired in a January trade alongside Corey Kispert in a multi-player deal involving Trae Young, the experienced guard quickly settled into a leading role within the rotation. In 41 appearances for the Hawks last season, he averaged 18.7 points, 4.1 assists, and provided much-needed perimeter scoring stability, while shooting 35.7 percent from beyond the arc.

     

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    Beyond the regular season, McCollum’s impact was particularly felt during Atlanta’s late push toward playoff contention. He played a key role in a stretch where the Hawks won 18 of 20 games, helping stabilize an offense that leaned heavily on his shot creation and veteran decision-making. His presence also proved pivotal in the postseason, where Atlanta briefly held a 2–1 series lead against the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks in a hard-fought first-round matchup.

     

    One of the league’s most consistent perimeter shooters over the past decade, McCollum also extended his remarkable streak of three-point production, reaching at least 150 made triples for an 11th consecutive season. He remains the only player in NBA history to achieve that milestone in every season since 2015–16, underscoring his longevity and offensive reliability.

     

    Originally selected 10th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2013 NBA Draft, McCollum has built a distinguished 13-year career that has also included stints with the New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, and now the Hawks. Across his career, he holds averages of 19.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, along with a career three-point shooting clip of 40 percent.

     

    For Atlanta, the extension signals continuity in a backcourt that has undergone significant reshaping in recent seasons. It also positions the Hawks to operate as an over-the-cap team heading into the offseason, limiting their flexibility but ensuring that a proven scorer and veteran presence remains in place as they look to build on last season’s late surge.

     

     

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  • LeBron James admits he hasn’t been the same since 2021 collision with Solomon Hill

    LeBron James admits he hasn’t been the same since 2021 collision with Solomon Hill

    For more than two decades, LeBron James has defined excellence in the National Basketball Association, building a résumé that places him firmly in the conversation as the greatest player in league history. From four championships to multiple MVP awards and the distinction of becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, James’ legacy is already secure.

     

    Yet even as he continues to defy age—still producing at an elite level at 41 with the Los Angeles Lakers—the physical toll of a long career has become increasingly evident. While James remains remarkably durable compared to most players in their late 30s and early 40s, injuries have become a more frequent hurdle in recent seasons, subtly altering the rhythm of his dominance.

     

    In a candid interview with Dave McMenamin of ESPN, James pinpointed a specific moment that he believes fundamentally changed his body’s durability: a 2021 game against the Atlanta Hawks.

     

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    The incident occurred during the second quarter of a regular-season matchup in March of the 2020–21 campaign. As James secured a loose ball, Hawks forward Solomon Hill dove in pursuit, colliding with James’ legs in an awkward sequence that immediately sent the Lakers star crashing to the floor. What initially appeared to be a routine hustle play quickly turned into a pivotal moment in James’ career.

     

    The diagnosis—a severe high ankle sprain—forced James to miss 20 games, one of the longest injury absences of his career. At the time, he was playing at an MVP level, leading the Lakers in their pursuit of back-to-back championships following their 2020 title run. The injury not only derailed his individual momentum but also disrupted the team’s rhythm, ultimately impacting their title defense.

    Reflecting on that moment, James admitted that the effects have lingered ever since.

     

    “For sure. My foot and my ankle ain’t been the same since. Ever since that injury, I have been fighting uphill to get it back to normal. But it’s been a little blah ever since. What could have been, for sure. I was playing some of the best basketball of my career up until that point and leading this franchise in the right direction and then something like that happens, a high ankle sprain, and there’s nothing you can do about that,” LeBron said.

     

    The comments offer a rare glimpse into the long-term physical challenges faced by even the most elite athletes. Known for his meticulous approach to conditioning and recovery, James has long been praised for investing heavily in his body to extend his prime years. However, the 2021 injury appears to have marked a turning point—less in terms of performance, and more in terms of how his body responds to the grind of an NBA season.

     

    James also revealed his immediate reaction to the injury, underscoring how much was at stake during that stretch of his career.

     

    “I have hurt my ankle and my foot a couple times and I have laced my shoes up and went back and played. And that was kind of my mindset. Please no. Please, not right now. Because I am playing too well. I have a chance to have a historical season,” he added.

     

    Despite the lingering effects, James has continued to produce at a level rarely seen for a player of his age, adapting his game while maintaining his impact as both a scorer and playmaker. His ability to remain among the league’s elite—even while managing physical setbacks—has only added another layer to his already unparalleled legacy.

     

    As the Lakers continue to build around their veteran cornerstone, James’ reflections serve as both a reminder of how quickly circumstances can shift in professional sports and a testament to the resilience required to sustain greatness over time.

     

     

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  • NBA Playoffs roundup: Hawks survived Knicks, Raptors surged, Timberwolves seized control 

    NBA Playoffs roundup: Hawks survived Knicks, Raptors surged, Timberwolves seized control 

    The NBA Playoffs first round continued on April 23, 2026 featuring three crucial Game 3 matchups that shifted momentum across both conferences. In the East, the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors secured tight control of their series with home wins to move ahead 2–1, while out West, the Minnesota Timberwolves powered past the Denver Nuggets to also take a 2–1 series lead. All three games delivered key scoring runs and decisive fourth-quarter pushes that helped define the direction of their respective series moving forward.


    Knicks vs. Hawks – Atlanta edges New York, leads series 2–1 (109–108)

     

    The Atlanta Hawks protected home court in dramatic fashion, slipping past the New York Knicks 109–108 in a tightly contested Game 3 to take a 2–1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

     

    The game featured a back-and-forth rhythm from the opening tip, with New York holding a slim edge after the first quarter behind balanced scoring across their rotation. The Hawks responded in the second period, leaning on timely perimeter shooting and transition opportunities to take a narrow halftime advantage.

     

    Both teams traded punches through the third quarter, setting up a tense finish where execution became the deciding factor. Atlanta’s late-game composure proved crucial as they converted key possessions down the stretch while holding off a final Knicks push.

     

    New York’s offensive leaders kept the game within reach, but missed opportunities in the closing minutes ultimately cost them a chance to steal the road win. The Knicks now return home trailing in the series and needing to respond in Game 4.

     

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    Cavaliers vs. Raptors – Toronto takes Game 3, Cleveland still leads series 2–1 (126–104) 

     

    The Toronto Raptors delivered a commanding performance at home, overpowering the Cleveland Cavaliers 126–104 in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

     

    After a competitive first half where both teams traded runs, Toronto took full control in the second half with a dominant fourth-quarter surge, outscoring Cleveland 43–23 to pull away for a convincing win. The Raptors’ pace, defensive pressure, and balanced scoring proved too much down the stretch as they dictated the final period.

     

    Cleveland kept things tight early behind steady offense, but struggled to sustain momentum as Toronto’s defense tightened and the transition game took over. Despite the loss, the Cavaliers still hold a 2–1 series lead heading into Game 4, keeping control of the matchup but with Toronto now gaining confidence after a statement win.

     

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves – Minnesota takes control, leads series 2–1 (113–96)

     

    The Minnesota Timberwolves defended home court with authority, defeating the Denver Nuggets 113–96 in Game 3 to seize a 2–1 lead in their Western Conference first-round series.

     

    Minnesota set the tone early with aggressive defense and efficient scoring, building momentum through transition opportunities and strong interior play. Denver struggled to find rhythm in the opening quarter and never fully recovered as the Timberwolves maintained control throughout.

     

    The Nuggets showed brief resistance in the middle quarters, but Minnesota consistently answered runs with timely baskets and defensive stops. The Timberwolves’ energy and rebounding edge proved decisive in limiting Denver’s second-chance opportunities.

     

    By the fourth quarter, Minnesota had firmly established control, closing out the game with composure to secure a crucial series advantage.

     

    With all three Game 3 results shifting series momentum, the Hawks, Raptors, and Timberwolves now hold 2–1 leads as the first-round battles intensify heading into pivotal Game 4 matchups.

     

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  • Stephon Castle and Jalen Johnson named NBA Players of the Week for Week 16 of the 2025-26 season

    Stephon Castle and Jalen Johnson named NBA Players of the Week for Week 16 of the 2025-26 season

    San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle and Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson have been named the National Basketball Association (NBA) Players of the Week for the Week 16 of the 2025-26 season.

     

     

    Stephon Castle (Western Conference Player of Week)

     

    The San Antonio Spurs continued their impressive surge in the 2025–26 NBA season, capping Week 16 with a perfect 3-0 record behind the stellar play of reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle.

     

    Castle was at the heart of San Antonio’s unbeaten week, averaging 24.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 3.0 steals per game while shooting a blistering 63 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from beyond the arc. His all-around brilliance earned him Western Conference Player of the Week honors — the first such award of his young career.

     

    The 21-year-old’s standout performance came in a marquee matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. Castle exploded for a career-high 40 points, adding 12 rebounds, 12 assists, and two steals in a historic triple-double effort. With that performance, he joined Spurs legend David Robinson as the only players in franchise history to record a 40-point triple-double. He also became just the third-youngest player in NBA history to accomplish the feat, placing his name alongside LeBron James and Luka Dončić on an elite list.

     

    Castle’s recognition marks the first time a Spur has claimed Player of the Week honors since Victor Wembanyama captured the award in the opening week of the season, further underscoring San Antonio’s promising young core.

     

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    Jalen Johnson (Eastern Conference Player of Week)

     

    Over in the Eastern Conference, Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson is making a compelling case as one of the league’s most versatile stars, even as the Hawks navigate a middling campaign. Johnson dominated Week 16, averaging 27.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, 11.3 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. His 11.3 assists per contest led all Eastern Conference players during that span, showcasing his evolution into a primary playmaker.

     

    Johnson has now compiled 10 triple-doubles this season — the most among Eastern Conference players and the second-most in the NBA, trailing only Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić, who has 18. Even more impressively, Johnson’s 10 triple-doubles set a new single-season franchise record for Atlanta, with no player in Hawks history ever reaching double digits in triple-doubles in a single campaign.

     

    The dynamic forward is also one of just two players league-wide averaging at least 23.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists this season, joining Jokić in that exclusive statistical company.

    For Johnson, the Week 16 citation marks his second Player of the Week award this season — further proof that despite Atlanta’s inconsistent results, his individual brilliance continues to shine brightly.

     

    As the playoff race intensifies, both Castle and Johnson are proving that the league’s next generation of stars is already here — and thriving.

     

     

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  • Hawks ship Trae Young to Washington for CJ McCollum

    Hawks ship Trae Young to Washington for CJ McCollum

    The Trae Young era in Atlanta has come to an end.

     

    The Atlanta Hawks have traded Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for veteran CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, NBA insider Shams Charania just announced.

     

    Young’s departure comes after Charania announced earlier this week that the Hawks are exploring trade options for the guard ahead of the trade deadline.

     

    The Hawks currently sit at 10th in the Eastern conference standings with a 17-21 record, and have been prioritizing the development of former top overall pick Zacharie Rissacher, alongside Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels.

     

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    Young last played for Atlanta last December and has been tallying subpar averages this season with 19.3 points and 8.9 assists per game.

     

    Meanwhile, McCollum, 34, has continued to be a lethal scorer so far, averaging 18.8 points per game, while also being better on the defensive end than Young.

     

    The Wizards, who boast a record of 10-26 and sit at the bottom of the standings, are centering their future around Young and former top pick Alexander Sarr.

     

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