History of the Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are one of the NBA's oldest and most traveled franchises. Founded in 1946, the organization has called five different cities home—Buffalo, Tri-Cities, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Atlanta. Along the way, the Hawks have featured some of basketball's greatest players, including Bob Pettit, Lenny Wilkens, Lou Hudson, Pete Maravich, Dominique Wilkins, Dikembe Mutombo, Joe Johnson, Al Horford, and Trae Young.

Although the franchise won its only NBA championship in 1958 while playing in St. Louis, the Atlanta era has produced Hall of Fame players, memorable playoff teams, and some of the league's most exciting basketball.

Early Franchise History

The franchise began as the Buffalo Bisons in the National Basketball League (NBL) during the 1946–47 season.

After just 13 games, owner Ben Kerner relocated the team to the Quad Cities, where it became the Tri-Cities Blackhawks.

In 1949, the Blackhawks became one of the original members of the NBA following the merger of the NBL and the Basketball Association of America (BAA).

The franchise moved to Milwaukee in 1951 before relocating to St. Louis in 1955.

The Championship Years

The St. Louis Hawks quickly became one of the NBA's elite teams.

Led by Hall of Famers Bob Pettit, Cliff Hagan, Ed Macauley, Slater Martin, and Clyde Lovellette, the Hawks developed into the primary challenger to the Boston Celtics dynasty.

The franchise reached four NBA Finals during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Their greatest accomplishment came in 1958, when Bob Pettit scored 50 points in Game 6 to defeat the Boston Celtics and win the franchise's only NBA Championship.

Arrival in Atlanta

Following the 1967–68 season, owner Ben Kerner relocated the franchise to Atlanta, Georgia.

The move brought NBA basketball to the Deep South for the first time.

The Hawks initially played at Alexander Memorial Coliseum before moving into the Atlanta–Fulton County Coliseum in 1972.

Although competitive, the team spent its early Atlanta years searching for sustained success.

Lou Hudson and Walt Bellamy

The Hawks' first stars in Atlanta were Lou Hudson and Walt Bellamy.

Nicknamed "Sweet Lou," Hudson became one of the NBA's premier scorers, averaging more than 25 points per game multiple times while establishing himself as one of the franchise's greatest players.

Bellamy anchored the frontcourt with outstanding scoring and rebounding.

The Pete Maravich Era

In the 1970 NBA Draft, Atlanta selected Pete Maravich with the third overall pick.

"Pistol Pete" revolutionized offensive basketball with dazzling ball handling, behind-the-back passes, and incredible shooting range.

Although injuries shortened his career and the Hawks never became championship contenders during his tenure, Maravich remains one of the most entertaining players in NBA history and a Basketball Hall of Famer.

Ted Turner Purchases the Hawks

In 1977, media entrepreneur Ted Turner purchased the Hawks.

Because Hawks games aired nationally on WTBS, "The SuperStation," Atlanta became one of the NBA's most recognizable franchises during the late 1970s and 1980s.

Millions of fans across America regularly watched Hawks games, dramatically expanding the team's national following.

Dominique Wilkins Changes Everything

The defining player in Atlanta Hawks history arrived following the 1982 NBA Draft.

Although drafted by Utah, Dominique Wilkins was acquired in a trade before playing an NBA game.

Nicknamed "The Human Highlight Film," Wilkins thrilled fans with spectacular dunks and prolific scoring.

His accomplishments include:

• Nine-time NBA All-Star
• 1986 NBA scoring champion
• Two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion
• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

Wilkins remains the greatest player in Atlanta Hawks history.

The 1980s Contenders

Under head coach Mike Fratello, the Hawks became one of the Eastern Conference's strongest teams.

Key contributors included:

• Kevin Willis
• Doc Rivers
• Tree Rollins
• Spud Webb
• Cliff Levingston
• Moses Malone

Atlanta won 57 games during the 1986–87 season but repeatedly encountered the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons in the playoffs.

The Defensive Years

During the 1990s, Atlanta built one of the NBA's strongest defensive teams.

Hall of Fame center Dikembe Mutombo became one of basketball's greatest shot blockers while leading the Hawks.

Other key players included:

• Steve Smith
• Mookie Blaylock
• Christian Laettner
• Alan Henderson

Under Hall of Fame coach Lenny Wilkens, Atlanta remained a consistent playoff contender.

Joe Johnson and the Return to the Playoffs

Following several rebuilding seasons, Atlanta returned to prominence behind:

• Joe Johnson
• Al Horford
• Josh Smith
• Marvin Williams

Beginning in 2008, the Hawks qualified for the playoffs in ten consecutive seasons.

The 60-Win Hawks

The 2014–15 season became one of the greatest in franchise history.

Under head coach Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta won 60 games and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals.

The starting lineup featured:

• Jeff Teague
• Kyle Korver
• DeMarre Carroll
• Paul Millsap
• Al Horford

All five starters were named NBA Eastern Conference Players of the Month for January 2015.

The Trae Young Era

Atlanta acquired Trae Young during the 2018 NBA Draft.

Young quickly became one of the NBA's premier offensive players thanks to his exceptional shooting and passing ability.

In 2021, he led the Hawks to victories over the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers before reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Hawks have continued building around Young with talented players including Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, Zaccharie Risacher, and Dyson Daniels.

Home Arenas

Franchise Timeline

Hall of Fame Players

• Bob Pettit
• Dominique Wilkins
• Pete Maravich
• Dikembe Mutombo
• Lou Hudson
• Lenny Wilkens
• Cliff Hagan
• Ed Macauley
• Slater Martin
• Clyde Lovellette

Retired Numbers

• 9 – Bob Pettit
• 21 – Dominique Wilkins
• 23 – Lou Hudson
• 44 – Pete Maravich
• 55 – Dikembe Mutombo
• 59 – Kasim Reed (honorary)

Legacy

The Atlanta Hawks represent one of the NBA's most historic franchises, tracing their roots to 1946 and five different home cities. Their journey from Buffalo to the Tri-Cities, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Atlanta mirrors the growth of professional basketball in the United States.

From Bob Pettit's 1958 championship to Dominique Wilkins' unforgettable highlight-reel dunks and Trae Young's modern playoff heroics, the Hawks have consistently featured some of the NBA's most exciting players. As one of the league's oldest continuously operating franchises, the Atlanta Hawks continue to blend a rich tradition with an exciting future.