The Atlanta Hawks' season has started in a way that few expected. The team has stayed strong without its top star, and this early stretch shows how much the roster has grown. The Hawks have played most of their first quarter of the season without Trae Young. Even so, they are winning games and building an identity that feels steady and clear. Many fans thought the team would struggle. Instead, the Hawks have used fast play, simple actions, and strong effort on defence to stay in the top half of the Eastern Conference. A key reason for this early growth is Jalen Johnson. He has turned into the main spark for the Hawks. He scores, rebounds, and passes at a high level. He plays with speed and force. His shots fall at a good rate, and he pushes the pace every time he touches the ball. His mix of size and movement is a large part of why the Hawks have held a positive margin on most nights. His steady play helps the team trust its simple style. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has also stepped into a larger role during the Atlanta Hawks' season. He handles the ball, sets up teammates, and guards well on the perimeter. He takes on a lot of the work that Trae Young usually carries. His calm style helps the young wings play with freedom. Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher fit next to him very well. They defend, run, and cut into open space. This group of young players brings energy that lifts the whole roster. The Hawks often use these three wings with Kristaps Porzingis. When Porzingis is healthy, he changes the floor for the team. He shoots from deep. He blocks shots at the rim. He creates open space for the young wings to drive. His size forces defenders to stay close to him. This gives the Hawks simple scoring chances near the basket. Health is still the main concern. When he plays, he makes the Hawks look more complete on both ends. Even with missing players, the team has shown impressive balance. The Hawks have won games against strong opponents and have kept their mistakes small. They take care of the ball, run hard, and defend at a higher level than in past seasons. Their defensive numbers since Halloween have been among the best in the league. The young wings close space fast, and the big men stay active. This effort leads to easy points in transition. The Hawks do not rely on tough shots. They get simple looks from movement and strong defense. The biggest question now is what happens when Trae Young returns. He still needs time to recover, and the team does not feel pressure to rush him back. His presence will change how the Hawks play. He controls the ball more than any other player on the roster. He takes deep shots and draws defenders far from the basket. With him, the offence may be more explosive. At the same time, the Hawks will need to keep the same defensive focus they have shown during his absence. There is also the long-term question about Young and the future of the roster. Some people think the Hawks could explore a major move if the group looks even stronger without him. Others think his return will lift the team to an even higher level. The truth is simple: the Hawks now have a clear and solid base. The young players are developing fast. The team is winning games they once lost. The style is easy to follow and works with or without a star guard. What makes the Atlanta Hawks' season so promising is the significant growth of their supporting players. Johnson has the look of a rising star. Alexander-Walker has shown he can manage the game. Daniels and Risacher bring speed and calm. Porzingis, when available, lifts the group with shooting and size. This is a mix that feels balanced and flexible. The Hawks still have room to grow. They need more shooting from the bench. They need more size inside when Porzingis sits. They need to keep their effort steady over a long season. But for now, the Atlanta Hawks' season stands as one of the more positive surprises in the East. The team has built a strong start through simple play, fast movement, and trust in its growing young core.