The 2007–08 Atlanta Hawks season was the team's 58th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the 40th in Atlanta. After missing the playoffs for eight straight seasons, the Hawks selected Al Horford out of the University of Florida with the third pick in the 2007 NBA draft. The Hawks started out the season by defeating the Dallas Mavericks 101–94 in their season opener, marking the first time they won their first game of the season since the 1999 lockout season. However, their struggles continued as they went on a six-game losing streak around the All-Star break. At midseason, the Hawks traded Tyronn Lue, Lorenzen Wright, Anthony Johnson, and second-year forward Shelden Williams to the Sacramento Kings for Mike Bibby. The Hawks finished third in the Southeast Division with a 37–45 record, and made the playoffs for the first time since 1999. Joe Johnson averaged 21.7 points per game, and was selected for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game. Josh Smith provided the team with 17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game, while Horford averaged 10.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, and made the NBA All-Rookie First Team.