Is the Atlanta Hawks 1-3 start a cause for concern?

Despite having five players score at least 17 points — including three starters eclipsing 20 — the Hawks dropped their third game out of four to start the season, falling to the Bulls in Chicago as the home team improved to 3-0.

Kristaps Porzingis led all scorers with 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting, including 3-of-6 from deep. It was his best offensive performance since joining Atlanta and came after missing two games with an illness. Jalen Johnson continued his stellar start with 25 points, six rebounds, and three assists, and it’s becoming increasingly clear there may be a shift coming in Atlanta — with Johnson emerging as the go-to scoring option over Trae Young, who still posted an impressive 21 points and 17 assists.

Onyeka Okongwu turned in another strong effort off the bench, finishing with 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting to go with 10 rebounds, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker had his best game since joining the Hawks, recording 17 points, three rebounds, and three assists.

Still, it wasn’t enough, as Atlanta’s defense surrendered 128 points — 71 of them coming in the second half. That’s been the theme of the Hawks’ shaky start, compounded by several players — namely Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher — still trying to find their footing and define their roles with so many new faces in the rotation.

It’s certainly not the start the Hawks envisioned to what was expected to be one of their most promising seasons in years following an eventful offseason full of exciting acquisitions. But it’s far from panic time. Minor injuries have disrupted early rhythm, and integrating new personnel always takes time to gel.

There have still been plenty of encouraging signs through four games, led by Jalen Johnson, who looks poised to take the next step into All-Star territory. Once the chemistry begins to settle and everyone adjusts to their roles, the Hawks should be well-positioned to go on a run.

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