[1] Injuries would hamper the Hawks again, as Doc Rivers only played just 48 games due to a herniated disk in his back.
However, in January they lost six consecutive games falling below .500, holding a 22–24 record at the All-Star break,[5] and endangering their playoff chances.
At midseason, the team traded Antoine Carr to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Kenny Smith.
[6][7][8] The Hawks would close out the season on a strong note winning ten of their final 15 games finishing sixth in the Central Division with a 41–41 record.
[14][18] Following the season, Smith was traded to the Houston Rockets,[19][20][21] while Cliff Levingston signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls,[22][23] and head coach Mike Fratello resigned after coaching the Hawks for seven seasons.