[1] The Hawks played their first season at the Philips Arena, which was built over the site of the Omni Coliseum.
Rider led the team in scoring averaging 19.3 points per game, but had a history of behavioral problems both on and off the court.
[25][26][27][28] The Hawks struggled posting a nine-game losing streak in April, and finished in seventh place in the Central Division with a disappointing 28–54 record, missing the playoffs for the first time in eight years.
[36][39] Following the season, head coach Lenny Wilkens resigned after seven seasons with the Hawks, and left to take a coaching job with the Toronto Raptors,[40][41][42] while Coles signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Ellis signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
[43] For the season, the Hawks changed their uniforms adding side panels to their jerseys and shorts, which would remain in use until 2007.