CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Giri Nathan

Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates after a play against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Zaccharie Risacher #10 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at State Farm Arena on January 7, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia

Lu Dort And Zaccharie Risacher Involved In Depressing Trade

Ray Ratto

Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks celebrates a three point basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of a game in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs on April 30, 2026.

Sheesh!

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 23: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks reacts on the bench after a go-ahead basket by CJ McCollum #3 of the Atlanta Hawks in the final seconds of the fourth quarter of game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Don’t Make The Tiny Man Dribble While Everyone Else Stands Still

Tom Ley

CJ McCollum dribbles past Karl-Anthony Towns

Madison Square Garden Has A Reluctant New Villain

Israel Daramola

The Atlanta Hawks’ Magic City Night Was Too Misunderstood To Live

Albert Burneko

General view during Joseline's Cabaret Tour at Magic City Kitchen on January 18, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Road To Magic City Monday Is Paved With Good Intentions

Trae Young of the Washington Wizards looks on as a tribute was shown during the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on February 24, 2026.

Trae Young Got Ejected From A Wizards Game Before He Ever Played In One

Patrick Redford

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 27: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at State Farm Arena on December 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Trae Young

Trae Young Is A Casualty Of The Changing NBA

Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks celebrates the win on the logo after the quarterfinal game of the Emirates NBA Cup against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 11, 2024 in New York City. The Atlanta Hawks defeated the New York Knicks 108-100 to advance to the semifinal round. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Trae Young Goes For Cheap Heat In The Knicks’ House

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 28: Jordan Poole #13 of the Washington Wizards drives against Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter at State Farm Arena on October 28, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Dyson Daniels Is On The Prowl

Doug McDermott of the Indiana Pacers dunks during a game against the Atlanta Hawks

Pacers Escape The Play-In, Reaffirm That The Hawks Are A 10th-Place Team

Dejounte Murray #5 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after hitting the game-winning basket during overtime against the Boston Celtics at State Farm Arena on March 28, 2024 in Atlanta,

The Game Doesn’t Change Until Dejounte Murray Says So

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 21: Obi Toppin #1 of the Indiana Pacers dunks against Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second quarter of an NBA In-Season Tournament game at State Farm Arena on November 21, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Obi Toppin; Onyeka Okongwu

Report: In-Season Tournament “Is A Real Thing”

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Trae Young prepares to inbound the ball, defended by Marcus Smart.

Finally, Some Crotch Abuse We Can All Feel Good About

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 25: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks scores the game winning shot during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Five of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Trae Young Shoots, Shoots, Shoots To Keep The Hawks Alive

Nate McMillan Finally Freed From The Hawks Mess

Ayo Dosunmu #12 of the Chicago Bulls reacts as he scores the game-winning basket as time expires in their 110-108 win over the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on December 21, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

SPORTS

CULTURE

OTHER

atlanta hawks

Lu Dort And Zaccharie Risacher Involved In Depressing Trade

Sheesh!

Don’t Make The Tiny Man Dribble While Everyone Else Stands Still

Madison Square Garden Has A Reluctant New Villain

The Atlanta Hawks’ Magic City Night Was Too Misunderstood To Live

The Road To Magic City Monday Is Paved With Good Intentions

Trae Young Got Ejected From A Wizards Game Before He Ever Played In One

Trae Young Is A Casualty Of The Changing NBA

Trae Young Goes For Cheap Heat In The Knicks’ House

Dyson Daniels Is On The Prowl

Pacers Escape The Play-In, Reaffirm That The Hawks Are A 10th-Place Team

The Game Doesn’t Change Until Dejounte Murray Says So

Report: In-Season Tournament “Is A Real Thing”

Finally, Some Crotch Abuse We Can All Feel Good About

Trae Young Shoots, Shoots, Shoots To Keep The Hawks Alive

Nate McMillan Finally Freed From The Hawks Mess

Stupid, Hilarious Loss Perfectly Sums Up Joyless Hawks Season

Trae Young And The Hawks Went Down Easy

Trae Young Had The Game 1 From Hell

At Least One Of These Struggling Eastern Conference Teams Truly Stinks. It’s Math!

Let Us Now Watch Game 1 Of The Eastern Conference Finals, And Speak Of It Together

Trae Young Is The Best Enemy

A Dispatch From The Most Horrible Sixers Collapse Of My Lifetime

Shake Milton Turned It All Around In Six Minutes

The Knicks Look Like Crud