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RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
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Atlanta Hawks logo

Atlanta Hawks
Franchise Overview 1947-2021 (75 seasons)

  • Franchise Overview
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Teams Atlanta Hawks Coaches Franchise Overview
The team's origins can be traced to the establishment of the Buffalo Bisons in 1946 in Buffalo, New York, a member of the National Basketball League (NBL) owned by Ben Kerner and Leo Ferris. After 38 days in Buffalo, the team moved to Moline, Illinois, where they were renamed the Tri-Cities Blackhawks. In 1949, they joined the NBA as part of the merger between the NBL and the Basketball Association of America (BAA), and briefly had Red Auerbach as coach. In 1951, Kerner moved the team to Milwaukee, where they changed their name to the Hawks. Kerner and the team moved again in 1955 to St. Louis, where they won their only NBA Championship in 1958 and qualified to play in the NBA Finals in 1957, 1960 and 1961. The Hawks played the Boston Celtics in all four of their trips to the NBA Finals. The St. Louis Hawks moved to Atlanta in 1968, when Kerner sold the franchise to Thomas Cousins and former Georgia Governor Carl Sanders. The Hawks currently own the second-longest drought (behind the Sacramento Kings) of not winning an NBA championship at 63 seasons. The franchise's lone NBA championship, as well as all four NBA Finals appearances, occurred when the team was based in St. Louis. Meanwhile, they went 48 years without advancing past the second round of the playoffs in any format, until finally breaking through in 2015. However, the Hawks are one of only four NBA teams that have qualified to play in the NBA playoffs in 10 consecutive seasons in the 21st century. They achieved this feat between 2008 and 2017.
The team's origins can be traced to the establishment of the Buffalo Bisons in 1946 in Buffalo, New York, a member of the National Basketball League (NBL) owned by Ben Kerner and Leo Ferris. After 38 days in Buffalo, the team moved to Moline, Illinois, where they were renamed the Tri-Cities Blackhawks. In 1949, they joined the NBA as part of the merger between the NBL and the Basketball Association of America (BAA), and briefly had Red Auerbach as coach. In 1951, Kerner moved the team to Milwaukee, where they changed their name to the Hawks. Kerner and the team moved again in 1955 to St. Louis, where they won their only NBA Championship in 1958 and qualified to play in the NBA Finals in 1957, 1960 and 1961. The Hawks played the Boston Celtics in all four of their trips to the NBA Finals. The St. Louis Hawks moved to Atlanta in 1968, when Kerner sold the franchise to Thomas Cousins and former Georgia Governor Carl Sanders. The Hawks currently own the second-longest drought (behind the Sacramento Kings) of not winning an NBA championship at 63 seasons. The franchise's lone NBA championship, as well as all four NBA Finals appearances, occurred when the team was based in St. Louis. Meanwhile, they went 48 years without advancing past the second round of the playoffs in any format, until finally breaking through in 2015. However, the Hawks are one of only four NBA teams that have qualified to play in the NBA playoffs in 10 consecutive seasons in the 21st century. They achieved this feat between 2008 and 2017.

Recap

The team's origins can be traced to the establishment of the Buffalo Bisons in 1946 in Buffalo, New York, a member of the National Basketball League (NBL) owned by Ben Kerner and Leo Ferris. After 38 days in Buffalo, the team moved to Moline, Illinois, where they were renamed the Tri-Cities Blackhawks. In 1949, they joined the NBA as part of the merger between the NBL and the Basketball Association of America (BAA), and briefly had Red Auerbach as coach. In 1951, Kerner moved the team to Milwaukee, where they changed their name to the Hawks. Kerner and the team moved again in 1955 to St. Louis, where they won their only NBA Championship in 1958 and qualified to play in the NBA Finals in 1957, 1960 and 1961. The Hawks played the Boston Celtics in all four of their trips to the NBA Finals. The St. Louis Hawks moved to Atlanta in 1968, when Kerner sold the franchise to Thomas Cousins and former Georgia Governor Carl Sanders.

The Hawks currently own the second-longest drought (behind the Sacramento Kings) of not winning an NBA championship at 63 seasons. The franchise's lone NBA championship, as well as all four NBA Finals appearances, occurred when the team was based in St. Louis. Meanwhile, they went 48 years without advancing past the second round of the playoffs in any format, until finally breaking through in 2015. However, the Hawks are one of only four NBA teams that have qualified to play in the NBA playoffs in 10 consecutive seasons in the 21st century. They achieved this feat between 2008 and 2017.

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1947-2021 (75 seasons)

Atlanta Hawks Team History

Franchise History

1969-2021
Atlanta Hawks (NBA)
1956-1968
St. Louis Hawks (NBA)
1952-1955
Milwaukee Hawks (NBA)
1950-1951
Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBA)
1948-1949
Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)
1947
Buffalo Bisons (NBL)

Top Seasons

Year Record Result
2015 60-22 Lost Conference Finals
1961 51-28 Lost NBA Finals
1960 46-29 Lost NBA Finals
1958 41-31 Won NBA Finals
1957 34-38 Lost NBA Finals
View More Hawks Seasons

Last 5 Seasons

Year Record Result
2021 41-31 Lost Conference Finals
2020 20-47 Missed Playoffs
2019 29-53 Missed Playoffs
2018 24-58 Missed Playoffs
2017 43-39 Lost First Round
View All Hawks Seasons

1st Round Draft Picks

Year Rd/Pick Player
2021 1 / 20 Jalen Johnson SF
2020 1 / 6 Onyeka Okongwu PF
2019 1 / 8 Jaxson Hayes C
2019 1 / 10 Cam Reddish SF
2018 1 / 3 Luka Dončić SG/SF
View All Hawks Draft Picks

Longest Serving GM's

Tenure Years General Manager
1990-03 14 Pete Babcock
1950-60 11 Ben Kerner
1980-90 11 Stan Kasten
1961-70 10 Marty Blake
2004-08 5 Billy Knight
View All Hawks General Managers

Team Owners

Tenure Years Owner
2016-21 6 Antony Ressler
2005-15 11 Bruce Levenson
2005-15 11 Michael Gearon Jr.
1997-04 8 Time Warner
1977-96 20 Ted Turner
1969-76 8 Tom Cousins
1947-68 22 Ben Kerner
View All Hawks Owners

Related Content

Stories, Photos, Videos, Podcasts, and Publications featuring Atlanta Hawks Franchise Overview
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Atlanta Hawks Media Guidepublication
Atlanta Hawks Media Guide
79 issues 1947-2025
This media guide is a comprehensive resource created by the team to provide detailed information about its players, coaches, history,...
/ This media guide is a comprehensive resource created by the team to provide detailed information about its players, coaches, history, and season schedule. Released annually, it serves journalists, broadcasters, and fans by offering accurate profiles, statistics, and historical records. The guide enhances media coverage, fan engagement, and promotional efforts.
1957-58 St. Louis Hawks Team Statistics and Standings Overviewpublication
1957-58 St. Louis Hawks Team Statistics and Standings Overview
Page from publication 1969
The Sporting News released a large annual guide every year that covered all team, league, and player stats, as...
/ The Sporting News released a large annual guide every year that covered all team, league, and player stats, as well as a detailed breakdown of each team. This was considered the official NBA guide for many decades.
1967-68 St. Louis Hawks Team Roster and Alexander Memorial Coliseum Overviewpublication
1967-68 St. Louis Hawks Team Roster and Alexander Memorial Coliseum Overview
Page from publication 1969
The Sporting News released a large annual guide every year that covered all team, league, and player stats, as...
/ The Sporting News released a large annual guide every year that covered all team, league, and player stats, as well as a detailed breakdown of each team. This was considered the official NBA guide for many decades.

Hawks History

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