2002–03 Atlanta Hawks season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Atlanta Hawks 2003 35 47 Central 5 11 Lon Kruger Terry Stotts Philips Arena WUPAFox Sports Net SouthTurner South WCNN Did not qualify ATL The 2002–03 Atlanta Hawks season was the 54th season for the Atlanta Hawks in the National Basketball Association, and their 35th season in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta Hawks Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/ August 6, 2026 The city of Atlanta hosted the NBA All-Star weekend at the Philips Arena this season, which featured the 2003 NBA All-Star Game. Season summary Off-season During the off-season, the Hawks acquired All-Star forward Glenn Robinson from the Milwaukee Bucks, Broussard Chris Pro Basketball: Notebook: Hawks Gain a Scorer in Trade for Robinson The New York Times August 3, 2002 https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/03/sports/pro-basketball-notebook-hawks-gain-a-scorer-in-trade-for-robinson.html January 13, 2022 Bucks Trade Robinson to Hawks for Kukoc, Smith Los Angeles Times August 3, 2002 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-aug-03-sp-newswire3-story.html June 22, 2022 Smith Sam Eastern Conference Capsules Chicago Tribune October 30, 2002 https://www.chicagotribune.com/cs-2002nba_eastcaps-story.html July 16, 2022 acquired rookie point guard Dan Dickau out of Gonzaga University from the Sacramento Kings, Brewer Rick Kings Draft, Deal Dickau The Stockton Record June 27, 2002 https://www.recordnet.com/story/sports/2002/06/27/kings-draft-deal-dickau/50752411007/ January 27, 2026 and signed free agent Darvin Ham. Associated Press NBA: Johnson to Wear Halo Brace Up to Eight Weeks ESPN September 18, 2002 https://www.espn.com.sg/nba/news/2002/0918/1433202.html January 27, 2026 However, DerMarr Johnson suffered a broken neck from an off-season car accident in September. Johnson and two other passengers were in Johnson's car, when it crossed the center line, hit a tree and caught on fire; it was not known who was driving the car. Johnson would miss the entire regular season. Associated Press NBA: Hawks' Johnson Breaks Neck in Fiery Car Crash ESPN September 13, 2002 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2002/0913/1431275.html January 27, 2026 Associated Press Plus: Pro Basketball: Hawks Forward Breaks Neck in Crash The New York Times September 14, 2002 https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/14/sports/plus-pro-basketball-hawks-forward-breaks-neck-in-crash.html April 20, 2017 Hawks' Johnson Breaks Neck in Accident The Washington Post September 14, 2002 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/09/14/hawks-johnson-breaks-neck-in-accident/a8d4e9cd-8904-43d2-92ed-ff26d9b6198a/ October 27, 2022 For the season, the Hawks slightly updated their white home uniforms and red road uniforms, replacing the jersey numbers on the left leg of their shorts with the team's primary logo; these uniforms would remain in use until 2007. Atlanta Hawks Home Uniform Chris Creamer's Sports Logos.net https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/40i4sddexk4k2llf3zruaib92/Atlanta-Hawks-Logo/2003/Home-Uniform January 27, 2026 Atlanta Hawks Road Uniform Chris Creamer's Sports Logos.net https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/lognefky3ssqhdyffgoe607dw/Atlanta-Hawks-Logo/2003/Road-Uniform January 27, 2026 Regular season With the addition of Robinson, and with Theo Ratliff playing in his first full season with the team after dealing with injuries, the Hawks got off to a 6–4 start to the regular season, which included a road win over the 3-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, 95–83 at the Staples Center on November 12, 2002. Nadel John Lakers Drop 4th Straight Game The Edwardsville Intelligencer November 12, 2002 https://www.theintelligencer.com/news/article/Lakers-Drop-4th-Straight-Game-10518411.php January 27, 2026 Hawks Snap Losing Streak, Beat Lakers Access WDUN November 13, 2002 https://accesswdun.com/article/2002/11/187708 June 12, 2022 Atlanta Hawks at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, November 12, 2002 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200211120LAL.html November 28, 2022 However, after a 10–10 start to the season, the team struggled and fell below .500 in winning percentage, losing 12 of their next 14 games, as head coach Lon Kruger was fired after the team held an 11–16 record in late December, and was replaced with assistant coach Terry Stotts. ESPN.com News Services NBA: Stotts Replaces Kruger; Heard Also Dismissed ESPN December 26, 2002 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2002/1226/1482596.html January 27, 2026 Kruger Out as Hawks Coach United Press International December 26, 2002 https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2002/12/26/Kruger-out-as-Hawks-coach/93381040954340/ November 28, 2022 Associated Press Underachieving Hawks Fire Kruger Deseret News December 27, 2002 https://www.deseret.com/2002/12/27/19696040/underachieving-hawks-fire-kruger/ January 27, 2026 Under Stotts, the Hawks lost 12 of their next 15 games, including two six-game losing streaks in December and January, and held a 19–30 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 6, 2003 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=6&year=2003 September 13, 2022 Despite winning six of their final eight games in April, the team finished in fifth place in the Central Division with a 35–47 record. 2002–03 Atlanta Hawks Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2003_games.html July 30, 2021 Robinson averaged 20.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, while Shareef Abdur-Rahim averaged 19.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, and Jason Terry provided the team with 17.2 points, 7.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game, and also led them with 160 three-point field goals. In addition, Dion Glover contributed 9.7 points per game, while Ratliff provided with 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game, and Ira Newble contributed 7.7 points per game. Off the bench, Alan Henderson averaged 4.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, and Nazr Mohammed provided with 4.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, but only played just 35 games due to injury. 2002–03 Atlanta Hawks Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2003.html July 30, 2021 Ratliff finished in ninth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, 2002–03 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_2003.html January 27, 2026 while Glover finished tied in 26th place in Most Improved Player voting. The Hawks finished 28th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 528,655 at the Philips Arena during the regular season, which was the second-lowest in the league. 2002–03 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2003.html December 14, 2024 Aftermath Following the season, Robinson was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a four-team trade, and after only one season with the Hawks, Robbins Liz Pro Basketball: It's a Done Deal: Exit Sprewell, Enter Van Horn The New York Times July 24, 2003 https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/24/sports/pro-basketball-it-s-a-done-deal-exit-sprewell-enter-van-horn.html January 14, 2022 Sprewell Is Part of 4-Team Trade Los Angeles Times July 24, 2003 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-24-sp-nbareport24-story.html July 15, 2022 Carter Fred NBA: Robinson Won't Solve Sixers' Problems ESPN July 24, 2003 https://www.espn.com/nba/columns/carter_fred/1585068.html October 27, 2022 while Newble signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cavaliers Ink Ira Newble United Press International July 23, 2003 https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2003/07/23/Cavaliers-ink-Ira-Newble/57821058975702/ June 22, 2022 Services Times Wire Report: Horry to Spurs Los Angeles Times July 23, 2003 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-23-sp-nbanotes23-story.html October 27, 2022 Ham signed with the Detroit Pistons, CBC Sports Ham Leaves Hawks for Pistons CBC September 24, 2003 https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/ham-leaves-hawks-for-pistons-1.368391 January 27, 2026 and Johnson and Emanual Davis were both released to free agency. Offseason Draft picks 2002 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 2 36 David Andersen PF Roster Atlanta Hawks 2002–03 #B50000 #FFFFFF #000000 #FFFFFF 3 Shareef Abdur-Rahim F 6 9 225 California 4 Chris Crawford basketball, born 1975 F 6 9 235 Marquette yes 15 Emanual Davis G 6 4 195 Delaware State yes 12 Dan Dickau G 6 0 190 Gonzaga 5 Dion Glover G 6 5 228 Georgia Tech 8 Darvin Ham F 6 7 220 Texas Tech 44 Alan Henderson F 6 9 235 Indiana 6 Jermaine Jackson basketball G 6 4 204 Detroit 1 DeMarr Johnson G/F 6 9 201 Cincinnati yes IN 2 Nazr Mohammed C 6 10 221 Kentucky 38 Mikki Moore C 6 11 225 Nebraska 14 Ira Newble G/F 6 7 220 Miami (OH) 42 Theo Ratliff F/C 6 10 225 Wyoming 13 Glenn Robinson F 6 7 225 Purdue 31 Jason Terry G 6 2 185 Arizona Terry Stotts Alex English Gar Heard Steve Henson (IN) Inactive https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2003.html Roster Notes Guard/forward DerMarr Johnson was on the injured reserve list due to a broken neck sustained from an off-season car accident, and missed the entire regular season. Regular season Season standings ATL ATL z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log January 2011 Player statistics Season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGGlenn Robinson696837.6.432.342.8766.63.01.30.420.8Shareef Abdur-Rahim 81 81 38.1 .478 .350 .841 8.4 3.0 1.1 0.519.9Jason Terry818138.0.428.371.8873.47.41.60.217.2Dion Glover764224.9.427.354.7843.71.90.90.29.7Theo Ratliff818131.1.464.000.7207.50.90.73.28.7Ira Newble734526.5.495.381.7783.71.40.70.47.7Mike Wilks15724.3.358.353.7242.72.81.10.15.7Chris Crawford507.6.615.333.8751.40.20.40.64.8Alan Henderson82318.2.468.000.6384.90.50.40.44.8Nazr Mohammed35012.7.421.000.6343.70.20.50.64.6Corey Benjamin9016.9.302.154.7503.41.10.10.24.4Emanual Davis24114.2.364.241.7731.81.50.50.03.7Dan Dickau50010.3.412.361.8080.91.70.30.03.7Mikki Moore506.2.417.000.8001.40.60.00.43.6Darvin Ham75112.3.447.000.4812.00.50.20.32.4Jermaine Jackson2909.4.452.000.6071.11.20.30.11.9Matt Maloney1407.4.320.333.6000.51.20.30.01.7Antonio Harvey408.0.400.000.0001.50.00.31.01.0Amal McCaskill1106.4.235.000.7502.00.50.30.11.0Brandon Williams603.2.143.000.0000.30.00.30.00.3Paul Shirley202.5.000.000.0000.50.00.00.00.0 Player statistics citation: Awards and records February 2013 Transactions January 2011 References See also 2002-03 NBA season Category:Atlanta Hawks seasons Atlanta Haw Atlanta Haw Atlanta Hawks