With the race to attain supremacy in the Eastern Conference wide open this season, the absence of key superstars on teams like the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers has created an intriguing scenario. Many fans believe this could be the year an underdog team rises to the occasion and makes a deep postseason run. Among those buying into that belief is Jeff Teague, who has expressed strong confidence in his former team, the Atlanta Hawks.
Despite the Hawks failing to establish dominance over the past couple of years in the East, Teague is sure that things will change in the 2025-26 season, mainly because Kristaps Porzingis finally has a personal motive to stay healthy and deliver the best performance of his career.
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Teague believes Porzingis and Hawks are going to impress in the 2025-26 season
The acquisition of Porzingis is one of the most notable moves made by the Hawks this offseason. Brought in to form a new and solid pick-and-roll tandem with Trae Young and serve as the team’s primary rim protector, Porzingis will be given the opportunity to showcase his brilliance on both ends of the court.
However, considering how ‘KP6’ hasn’t appeared in 70 or more games since his rookie year, his availability has always been an enormous concern. Thus, with the Hawks relying so heavily on him, another injury woe can jeopardize all championship aspirations for Atlanta.
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Nevertheless, Teague highlighted how fans will see an entirely different version of Porzingis, as he will be without a long-term contract after the 2025-26 season. And considering the latter is just 30 years old, Teague emphasized how Porzingis has the leverage to throw the kitchen sink and be bold in the Hawks outfit in the upcoming NBA season, as it is a pressured citation he hasn’t been under any previous stops yet.
“The Hawks are going to make the playoffs, conference finals without a doubt. Who’s that much better than us? Orlando hasn’t won s–t. Have Porzingis spread pause, he ‘bout to be lining up half-court shooting threes. Trae Young going to have all this room to operate,” Teague said. “Porzingis? He might be all the way. Bro, he in contract year, you know how this go. He ‘bout to play 70 games.”
Atlanta Hawks have a solid roster for the 2025-26 season
Of course, the Eastern Conference still boasts formidable contenders. Teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks possess deeper rosters and more postseason experience than Atlanta. Still, Teague argues that the Hawks’ strength lies in the star power of Young and Porzingis and their emerging supporting cast.
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Considering Nickiel-Alexander Walker and Dyson Daniels provide a strong two-way balance, this team seems to have all the assets to even chase the No. 1 seed in the East.
Now, with no clear-cut favorite in the Conference just yet, Teague is absolutely right that a team with great hunger and determination will make the most strides. With the Hawks having their star players—Young and Porzingis—eager to cement their individual value, it seems they can make strides deep into the playoffs.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.