NBA Team Guide
Atlanta Hawks: History, Championships & Facts
The Hawks are one of the NBA's oldest franchises, with stops in Buffalo, the Tri-Cities, Milwaukee and St. Louis before landing in Atlanta in 1968. Here is the franchise at a glance.
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Updated live from ESPN.
Quick facts
| Founded | 1946, as the Buffalo Bisons (NBL) |
|---|---|
| In Atlanta since | 1968 |
| Home arena | State Farm Arena, Atlanta (opened 1999 as Philips Arena) |
| NBA championships | 1 (1958, as the St. Louis Hawks) |
| Best season | 60–22 in 2014–15 |
Championship history
The Hawks' only NBA title came in 1958, when the St. Louis Hawks beat the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.
- 1958 NBA champions (St. Louis Hawks)
Franchise history
- 1946: Founded as the Buffalo Bisons in the NBL, then moved within weeks to Moline, Illinois, as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks.
- 1949: Joined the NBA when the NBL and BAA merged.
- 1951: Moved to Milwaukee as the Milwaukee Hawks.
- 1955: Moved to St. Louis, winning the 1958 NBA title there.
- 1968: Moved to Atlanta.
- 1999: Opened Philips Arena, now State Farm Arena.
Franchise record holders
| Points | Dominique Wilkins, 23,292 |
|---|---|
| Rebounds | Bob Pettit, 12,849 |
| Assists | Trae Young, 4,837 |
Retired numbers
- 9Bob Pettit
- 21Dominique Wilkins
- 23Lou Hudson
- 44Pete Maravich
- 55Dikembe Mutombo
- 59Kasim Reed (former Atlanta mayor, honorary)
Hall of Famers
Bob Pettit, Dominique Wilkins, Pete Maravich, Dikembe Mutombo, Lou Hudson, Lenny Wilkens, Cliff Hagan.
Biggest rivalries
- Boston Celtics: 12 playoff meetings, including four NBA Finals in the St. Louis era.
- Orlando Magic: Southeast Division rivals who met in the playoffs in 1996, 2010 and 2011.
- Charlotte Hornets: a regional rivalry along the I-85 corridor.
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How many championships have the Hawks won?
One: the 1958 NBA championship, won as the St. Louis Hawks.
Where did the Hawks play before Atlanta?
Buffalo (1946), the Tri-Cities of Illinois and Iowa (1946–51), Milwaukee (1951–55) and St. Louis (1955–68).
Who is the Hawks' all-time leading scorer?
Dominique Wilkins, with 23,292 regular-season points.
Why is number 59 retired by the Hawks?
It honors former Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed and is not tied to a player.
Where do the Hawks play?
At State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta, which opened in 1999 as Philips Arena.
Sources
Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.