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The 2015-16 Atlanta Hawks’ 48-win season represented a steep regression from the team’s celebrated 60-win campaign a year prior. Though the Hawks managed a ninth-consecutive playoff appearance, their collective setbacks were monumental at times. From fumbling precious playoff positioning, to historic postseason ineptitude, here are Atlanta’s five biggest mistakes of the 2015-16 season.
5. Atlanta Squanders Crucial Playoff Positioning In Season Finale vs. Washington Wizards
Credit: Rob Carr/Getty Images5. Atlanta Squanders Crucial Playoff Positioning In Season Finale vs. Washington Wizards
Atlanta disappeared in the clutch, needing a single win to clinch the Southeast Division. Against a lottery-bound, motley crew of Wizards' reserves, the Hawks' doomed playoff path was sealed.
4. Hawks Surrender NBA-Record 25 Three-Pointers to Cleveland Cavaliers In Game 2 Of Playoff Series
Credit: Kevin Cox/Getty Images4. Hawks Surrender NBA-Record 25 Three-Pointers to Cleveland Cavaliers In Game 2 Of Playoff Series
To say Atlanta was embarrassed by Cleveland in Game 2 of their brief 4-0 playoff encounter would be an understatement. During that fateful contest, Cleveland canned an NBA-record 25 three-pointers, handing Atlanta a 123-98 loss in the process.
3. Hawks Surrender 72 First-Half Points To Lowly Minnesota Timberwolves
Credit: Kevin Cox/Getty Images3. Hawks Surrender 72 First-Half Points To Lowly Minnesota Timberwolves
Atlanta's surprising 7-2 start was resoundingly halted by the 29-win Timberwolves. Minnesota, just 2-7 at the time, scored 72 first-half points against a porous Hawks defense. On the season, Atlanta lost both encounters to the Timberwolves.
2. Hawks Fail To Address Issues At The Trade Deadline
Credit: Kevin Cox/Getty Images2. Hawks Fail To Address Issues At The Trade Deadline
During nine-consecutive playoff appearances, the Hawks' greatest postseason success was a 2015 Eastern Conference Finals sweep to Cleveland. With an aging core and looming key free-agents a deadline move was needed, but didn't occur.
1. Jeff Teague Misses The Next Step
Credit: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images1. Jeff Teague Misses The Next Step
After attaining All-Star status in 2015 for the 60-win Atlanta Hawks, many foresaw 2016 as Jeff Teague's coming-out party. Unfortunately for the Hawks, this wasn't the case. A 27-year-old Teague's numbers diminished, along with Atlanta's win total.
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