Atlanta Hawks Championships: What Fans in Atlanta Should Know

Atlanta basketball fans talk a lot about the future, but when it comes to Atlanta Hawks championships, it helps to know the full story—both the title that’s already in the record books and what’s still missing here in Atlanta.

This guide walks through the Hawks’ championship history, what counts as a “championship,” how it connects to Atlanta specifically, and how you can experience that legacy today if you live in or are visiting Atlanta, Georgia.

Have the Atlanta Hawks Ever Won a Championship?

The short answer:
Yes, the Hawks franchise has won one NBA championship — but it happened before the team moved to Atlanta.

• NBA Championship: 1958 (as the St. Louis Hawks, not yet in Atlanta)
• Championships in Atlanta:0 NBA titles so far

So when you see that the Hawks have one NBA championship, that’s accurate for the franchise as a whole, but Atlanta itself has never hosted a championship-winning Hawks team.

Franchise History vs. Atlanta History

To understand why this matters, you need to separate:

• Franchise history (everything the Hawks have done in any city)
• Atlanta history (what’s happened since the team moved here)

Quick Timeline of the Hawks Franchise

From an NBA record standpoint, all of this is one continuous franchise.
From a local Atlanta standpoint, fans usually focus on what the team has done since 1968, when the Hawks became Atlanta’s team.

How Many Championships Do the Atlanta Hawks Have in Atlanta?

If you’re specifically asking:

The answer is:

• NBA championships in Atlanta:0
• Eastern Conference championships in Atlanta:0
• Division titles in Atlanta: Several over the decades, including strong seasons in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2010s

Even though the team has had memorable playoff runs and division titles, they have not yet reached the NBA Finals as the Atlanta Hawks.

The 1958 Championship: A Title in the Hawks’ Trophy Case

The Hawks’ one and only NBA title came in 1958, when the team was the St. Louis Hawks. They defeated the Boston Celtics and captured the franchise’s lone championship.

For Atlanta fans, this title is usually viewed in two ways:

• On paper: It’s part of the Hawks’ official franchise history and is recognized by the NBA.
• Emotionally and locally: Many Atlanta fans see it as distant history, since it didn’t happen here and most of the city’s fan base did not experience it firsthand.

Still, when you hear or read that the Atlanta Hawks franchise has one NBA championship, this 1958 title is what’s being referenced.

Deep Playoff Runs Atlanta Fans Remember

Even without a championship here, Atlanta has had strong years that long-time fans in the city still talk about.

The 2014–2015 60-Win Season

One of the most celebrated modern seasons in Atlanta:

• The Atlanta Hawks finished with 60 wins, one of the best records in franchise history.
• Four Hawks players were named to the All-Star team, a rare achievement.
• The team reached the Eastern Conference Finals, but fell short of the NBA Finals.

For many Atlanta residents, this season felt like the closest modern push toward a possible championship run.

Other Notable Eras in Atlanta

Atlanta fans also recall:

• Dominique Wilkins era (1980s–early 1990s): The Hawks consistently made the playoffs and became a major part of Atlanta’s sports identity.
• Late 2000s to early 2010s: Teams led by players like Joe Johnson and Al Horford brought regular postseason appearances, though not deep Finals runs.

These eras helped build the basketball culture in Atlanta, even if they didn’t end with a championship parade down Peachtree Street.

Understanding “Championships” Beyond the NBA Title

When people in Atlanta search for “Atlanta Hawks championships,” they might mean more than just NBA titles. Here’s how it breaks down:

Types of “Championships” That Matter to Fans

• NBA Championship (League Title):
  The ultimate goal; the Hawks franchise has 1, none in Atlanta.
• Conference Championship (Eastern Conference):
  Winning the East and reaching the NBA Finals; the Atlanta-era Hawks have not done this yet.
• Division Titles:
  The Hawks have won multiple division titles while in Atlanta (e.g., Southeast Division). These are important milestones but not top-level championships.
• Playoff Series Wins:
  While not “championships,” key series wins — especially home clinchers at State Farm Arena — are big moments for local fans.

If you’re explaining Hawks history to someone visiting Atlanta, it’s accurate to say:

Experiencing Hawks Championship Hopes in Atlanta Today

Even without a homegrown title yet, Atlanta is a strong basketball city, and you can feel that energy in several ways.

Catching a Game at State Farm Arena

State Farm Arena is the home of the Atlanta Hawks:

• Address: 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Located right by Downtown Atlanta, near Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Centennial Olympic Park.

Watching a game here gives you:

• A sense of where future championships would be celebrated
• A live look at the current roster that’s trying to make that happen
• A fan base that’s hungry for the first true Atlanta Hawks championship

Visiting the Team Store

If you want to show your support for that future title run:

• The Hawks Shop (team store) at State Farm Arena typically offers jerseys, hats, and memorabilia.
• Items often highlight historic players, current stars, and sometimes nods to the franchise’s long history, including the St. Louis era.

Even though there’s only one NBA trophy so far, Hawks gear often focuses on Atlanta identity and the idea of being part of building something new.

How Atlanta Fits Into the Larger Championship Picture

Fans in Atlanta often compare Hawks history with other local teams:

• Atlanta Braves (MLB): Multiple World Series championships.
• Atlanta United FC (MLS): Won an MLS Cup in their early years.
• Atlanta Falcons (NFL): Reached the Super Bowl but are also chasing their first title.

That makes a potential Hawks title in Atlanta feel especially significant — it would join a growing list of major championships that have come through the city.

What This Means If You’re an Atlanta Fan or Visitor

If you live in Atlanta or are visiting and want to understand the Hawks’ championship story, here are the big takeaways:

• The Hawks franchise has one NBA championship, from 1958 in St. Louis.
• No NBA championships have been won in Atlanta by the Hawks — yet.
• The team has had strong seasons, playoff runs, and division titles, especially in the Dominique Wilkins era and the 60-win 2014–2015 season.
• The next big sports milestone for the city would be the Hawks finally winning a championship as the Atlanta Hawks.

For now, if you attend a game at State Farm Arena, you’re watching a franchise that’s carrying more than half a century of Atlanta basketball history — and still chasing that first championship banner that truly belongs to this city.