Before the season, not many observers predicted the Hawks would finish among the top teams in the Eastern Conference even if everything went right.
Lots went wrong and yet the Hawks (34-23) haven't just survived. They've thrived. With nine games left Atlanta is in position to host a first-round playoff series and are just off the pace for third place in the East behind Chicago and Miami.
This didn't seem likely when star center Al Horford was lost to surgery less than a month into the season. What followed was a long list of injuries to rotation players that just now is subsiding.
“Real happy about that, considering what we've gone through,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said. “I told the guys I think we have weathered a major storm. I really do. There are some games we should have won but we let them slip through the cracks. But still, looking at where we are, what happened to us from an injury standpoint, I think we are fortunate to be where we are.”
The Hawks are in position to own third place in the East by the time they take the practice court Tuesday after two days off. They trailed Indiana by a half-game before the Pacers played Toronto Monday night. Atlanta also has the easier closing schedule.
It's possible Horford could return for the playoffs, though he said he wouldn't be at full strength. Horford had pectoral surgery Jan. 17 and only recently returned to practice for non-contact drills.
The Hawks were 7-4 when Horford, a two-time All-Star, went down and have managed to improve their winning percentage since then. Forward Josh Smith, guard Joe Johnson and center Zaza Pachulia raised their level of play and veterans Jannero Pargo and Willie Green have boosted the bench with career-best scoring production.
“We persevered through that, a big injury to a major guy that impacts the game in so many ways,” Smith said. “Then having injuries throughout the season, guys coming in stepping in, playing big minutes they would normally play. And here we are, looking at being the third seed in the playoffs."
There's still not much evidence to suggest the Hawks measure up to Chicago and Miami. They were 1-3 in the season series against both teams. They struggled to score against each and labored to defend Miami.
Boston and Philadelphia also have been problematic for Atlanta. The Hawks lost all three games against the Sixers and dropped the only meeting with the Celtics, their opponent Wednesday in Boston.
But Hawks won the season series 2-1 against the Pacers and have won both meetings against the Magic, who they face Friday in Orlando.
The Hawks have been impacted by injuries more than any team except the Bulls, according to a statistical analysis that considers games missed, the minutes injured players average when healthy, and their offensive and defensive contributions.
The Hawks have lost the most games and minutes to injury among East teams in position for the playoffs. Only the Bulls have lost more production, mostly because of a series of injuries to reigning MVP Derrick Rose.
The Bulls have thrived without Rose because they have a deep roster of good defenders who are committed to the team's grinding style. Johnson believes the next step for Atlanta is developing a similarly consistent approach.
“Whether we will be a hard-playing team, a team that really moves the ball and shares the ball and makes everybody better, what have you," Johnson said. “We show glimpses of different parts of our games. One stretch we will be a great defensive team, next stretch a great offensive team, another stretch we might have it all put together. We have just got to find our identity.”
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