The Atlanta Hawks finished their road trip with a 120–105 victory over the Washington Wizards, and one five-man combination offered Quin Snyder something worth revisiting.
CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Lu Dort and Onyeka Okongwu gave Atlanta a smaller lineup capable of applying defensive pressure and keeping the ball moving. With Jalen Johnson recovering from a left ankle sprain, that group provided an encouraging alternative.
Per NBA Advanced Stats, the five produced a 94.7 offensive rating, a 72.2 defensive rating and a positive net rating of 22.5 in 8:36 against Washington. Those numbers represent a brief stretch of one game, but the defensive results make the combination worth monitoring.
The distinction matters. A 94.7 offensive rating does not establish this as a highly efficient offensive unit. Its advantage came from limiting Washington’s production enough to finish comfortably ahead during those minutes. The ball movement and shot creation offered reasons for interest, even if the scoring efficiency leaves room for improvement.
Defensively, the appeal is straightforward. Daniels, Dort and Alexander-Walker give Snyder three players who can pressure ball handlers, navigate screens and handle different perimeter assignments. Their presence allows Atlanta to challenge the initial action while keeping capable defenders involved when opponents move the ball.
Okongwu supplies mobility behind them, while McCollum gives the group another ball handler and shooting threat. That balance offers a way to generate stops without removing too much offensive skill from the floor.
Against Washington, the lineup also showed how Atlanta could attack through quicker decisions. Moving the ball and forcing defenders to change assignments created opportunities to break down the defense rather than relying on one player to manufacture every advantage.
There are tradeoffs. Playing smaller can leave a team vulnerable against bigger frontcourts, particularly when it comes to rebounding and protecting the paint. The success of a group like this depends on its personnel and the matchup, rather than simply putting more guards on the court.
That makes it a situational option for Snyder. It could help Atlanta increase pressure, change the pace or find a different rhythm when another combination stalls. More minutes against different opponents would reveal whether its strengths hold up.
Johnson’s return will naturally change the rotation, and this lineup should not be viewed as a replacement for him. Its longer-term value could come during his rest periods, giving Snyder a group with enough defensive versatility and ball handling to manage those stretches.
Atlanta faces Washington again Friday in its NBA Cup opener, presenting another opportunity to evaluate the combination. One productive stint does not establish a winning formula, but it can give a coach a useful place to start.