CJ McCollum’s numbers may not look all that different from what they were before the Atlanta Hawks brought him in, but the context and situation around him is completely different now.

The Hawks acquired him from the tanking Washington Wizards last January as part of the Trae Young deal, a move that marked the end of an era and shift in direction for the franchise. Young had long been Atlanta’s starting point guard and the face of its offense, but the team had already shown it could function well without him in the lineup. 

With Jalen Johnson emerging into a leading role, the Hawks chose a more balanced path forward and handed the keys to a steadier player in McCollum.

So far, that decision has paid off.

Atlanta is 27–14 when McCollum plays. Before he made his debut with the team, the Hawks were 19–21 and still trying to figure out whether this season was actually headed anywhere. Now, they are 46–35, up to fifth in the Eastern Conference, and one win away from locking in that spot. The rise has been nothing short of dramatic as this team was still ninth in the East as recently as mid-March.

McCollum has been one of the main reasons for this run.

Since March 1, Atlanta is 16–4 and have been one of the best teams in the East during this time. During that stretch, McCollum averaged 18.8 points, three rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, while posting a plus-minus of +10.8. He has given the Hawks exactly what they needed from the point guard spot: sharp decision-making, timely scoring, and a veteran presence capable of settling the team in tense late-game situations.

That presence has mattered off the court too. Atlanta’s young core has talent, but not much proven leadership. McCollum has filled that gap. He has been around the league long enough to understand late season dynamics and postseason preparations, especially through his experiences several years ago with the Portland Trail Blazers. This type of influence is invaluable for an unproven team such as these Hawks.

Surprisingly, among Atlanta’s regular rotation players, McCollum leads the team in defensive rating since the All-Star break. That is a strong indicator of how well he has adapted to what the Hawks are trying to become. This is no longer a team built around one ball-dominant star controlling every possession–they are more connected now, with more players participating in their offense.

The Hawks are not entering the postseason as favorites, nor should they be viewed that way as they still have a long way to go in terms of roster construction and development. But what they do deserve is respect, especially when considering well they have played over these past few weeks. With Johnson leading the way and players such as Onyeka Okongwu, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, and McCollum all contributing to a deeper, more balanced group, Atlanta has become a team that no one in the East will be eager to face in a seven-game series.