Atlanta Hawks Playoff History: Series by Year

This is a timeline with all the NBA postseason series played by the Atlanta Hawks. It also includes data about how the team arrived to the Playoffs that year and the result of each series, since their first season in 1950 to the present.

In their 76 seasons in the NBA, the Atlanta Hawks made the postseason 49 times. On those years they have played a total of 76 playoff series, of which they won 28 and lost 48, for a 36.8 winning percentge.

So far, they have reached the NBA Finals 4 times and have won 1 Championship.

Atlanta Hawks Playoffs Timeline

2025 Playoffs

Teams for these Playoffs are still to be determined.

2024 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (36-46 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference). They lost to the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Play-In.

2023 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference (41-41 season record). They defeated the Heat in the Eastern Conference Play-In.

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 2-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2022 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference (43-39 season record). They defeated the Hornets and defeated the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Play-In.

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Miami Heat 1-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2021 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (41-31 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the New York Knicks 4-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Finals

* The Bucks ended up winning the Championship.

2020 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (20-47 season record, 14th in the Eastern Conference).

2019 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (29-53 season record, 12th in the Eastern Conference).

2018 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (24-58 season record, 15th in the Eastern Conference).

2017 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (43-39 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Washington Wizards 2-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2016 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (48-34 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Boston Celtics 4-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 0-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

* The Cavaliers ended up winning the Championship.

2015 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference (60-22 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Brooklyn Nets 4-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Washington Wizards 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 0-4 in the Eastern Conference Finals

2014 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference (38-44 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Indiana Pacers 3-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2013 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference (44-38 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Indiana Pacers 2-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2012 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (40-26 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 2-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2011 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (44-38 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Orlando Magic 4-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Chicago Bulls 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

2010 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference (53-29 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 4-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Orlando Magic 0-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

2009 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (47-35 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Miami Heat 4-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 0-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

2008 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference (37-45 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 3-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

* The Celtics ended up winning the Championship.

2007 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (30-52 season record, 13th in the Eastern Conference).

2006 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (26-56 season record, 14th in the Eastern Conference).

2005 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (13-69 season record, 15th in the Eastern Conference).

2004 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (28-54 season record, 12th in the Eastern Conference).

2003 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (35-47 season record, 11th in the Eastern Conference).

2002 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (33-49 season record, 12th in the Eastern Conference).

2001 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (25-57 season record, 13th in the Eastern Conference).

2000 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (28-54 season record, 14th in the Eastern Conference).

1999 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (31-19 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Detroit Pistons 3-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the New York Knicks 0-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1998 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (50-32 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Charlotte Hornets 1-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1997 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (56-26 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Detroit Pistons 3-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Chicago Bulls 1-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

* The Bulls ended up winning the Championship.

1996 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference (46-36 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Indiana Pacers 3-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Orlando Magic 1-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1995 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference (42-40 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Indiana Pacers 0-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1994 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference (57-25 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Miami Heat 3-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Indiana Pacers 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1993 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference (43-39 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Chicago Bulls 0-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

* The Bulls ended up winning the Championship.

1992 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (38-44 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1991 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference (43-39 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Detroit Pistons 2-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1990 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (41-41 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1989 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (52-30 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 2-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1988 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (50-32 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 3-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 3-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1987 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference (57-25 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Indiana Pacers 3-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Detroit Pistons 1-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1986 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (50-32 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Detroit Pistons 3-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 1-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

* The Celtics ended up winning the Championship.

1985 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (34-48 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1984 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference (40-42 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 2-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1983 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference (43-39 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 1-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1982 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference (42-40 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 0-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1981 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-51 season record, 8th in the Eastern Conference).

1980 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference (50-32 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 1-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1979 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (46-36 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Houston Rockets 2-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Washington Bullets 3-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1978 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference (41-41 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Washington Bullets 0-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round

* The Bullets ended up winning the Championship.

1977 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-51 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1976 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (29-53 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1975 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-51 season record, 8th in the Eastern Conference).

1974 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (35-47 season record, 5th in the Eastern Conference).

1973 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (46-36 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1972 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (36-46 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1971 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (36-46 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the New York Knicks 1-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1970 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Western Division (48-34 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Chicago Bulls 4-1 in the Western Division Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 0-4 in the Western Division Finals

1969 Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Division (48-34 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the San Diego Rockets 4-2 in the Western Division Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 1-4 in the Western Division Finals

1968 Playoffs

The St. Louis Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Western Division (56-26 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the San Francisco Warriors 2-4 in the Western Division Semifinals

1967 Playoffs

The St. Louis Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Division (39-42 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Chicago Bulls 3-0 in the Western Division Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the San Francisco Warriors 2-4 in the Western Division Finals

1966 Playoffs

The St. Louis Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Division (36-44 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Baltimore Bullets 3-0 in the Western Division Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 3-4 in the Western Division Finals

1965 Playoffs

The St. Louis Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Division (45-35 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Baltimore Bullets 1-3 in the Western Division Semifinals

1964 Playoffs

The St. Louis Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Division (46-34 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 3-2 in the Western Division Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the San Francisco Warriors 3-4 in the Western Division Finals

1963 Playoffs

The St. Louis Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Division (48-32 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Detroit Pistons 3-1 in the Western Division Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 3-4 in the Western Division Finals

1962 Playoffs

The St. Louis Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (29-51 season record, 4th in the Western Division).

1961 Playoffs

The St. Louis Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Western Division (51-28 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 4-3 in the Western Division Finals
  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 1-4 in the NBA Finals

1960 Playoffs

The St. Louis Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Western Division (46-29 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Minneapolis Lakers 4-3 in the Western Division Finals
  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 3-4 in the NBA Finals

1959 Playoffs

The St. Louis Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Western Division (49-23 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Minneapolis Lakers 2-4 in the Western Division Finals

1958 Playoffs

The St. Louis Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Western Division (41-31 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Detroit Pistons 4-1 in the Western Division Finals
  • -
    Defeated the Boston Celtics 4-2 in the NBA Finals

The Hawks won the Championship in 1958, it was the 1st NBA title in franchise history.

1957 Playoffs

The St. Louis Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Western Division (34-38 season record). They defeated the Pistons and defeated the Lakers in the Western Division Tiebraker.

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Minneapolis Lakers 3-0 in the Western Division Finals
  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 3-4 in the NBA Finals

1956 Playoffs

The St. Louis Hawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Division (33-39 season record). They lost to the Lakers in the Western Division Second Place Tiebraker.

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Minneapolis Lakers 2-1 in the Western Division Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Fort Wayne Pistons 2-3 in the Western Division Finals

1955 Playoffs

The Milwaukee Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (26-46 season record, 4th in the Western Division).

1954 Playoffs

The Milwaukee Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (21-51 season record, 4th in the Western Division).

1953 Playoffs

The Milwaukee Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (27-44 season record, 5th in the Western Division).

1952 Playoffs

The Milwaukee Hawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (17-49 season record, 5th in the Western Division).

1951 Playoffs

The Tri-Cities Blackhawks didn't qualify for the Playoffs (25-43 season record, 5th in the Western Division).

1950 Playoffs

The Tri-Cities Blackhawks qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Division (29-35 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Anderson Packers 1-2 in the Western Division Semifinals
- end of timeline