Knicks vs Hawks NBA Playoffs: Preview, Schedule, and Key Matchups
- The New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks are set to meet in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs, marking the first time the two franchises have...
- The series is scheduled to begin on April 18, 2026, with Game 1 taking place at Madison Square Garden at 6:00 PM ET, broadcast on Prime Video.
- This matchup serves as a contrast to their previous playoff encounter five years ago, when Atlanta won the series 4-1.
The New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks are set to meet in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs, marking the first time the two franchises have faced each other in the postseason since 2021. The third-seeded Knicks will host the sixth-seeded Hawks in a series that carries significant weight for both organizations, particularly for a New York team under pressure to return to the Eastern Conference finals.
The series is scheduled to begin on April 18, 2026, with Game 1 taking place at Madison Square Garden at 6:00 PM ET, broadcast on Prime Video. The full schedule for the opening round is as follows:
- Game 1: Hawks at Knicks | April 18
- Game 2: Hawks at Knicks (TBD)
- Game 3: Knicks at Hawks (TBD)
- Game 4: Knicks at Hawks (TBD)
- Game 5: Hawks at Knicks (TBD)
- Game 6: Knicks at Hawks (TBD)
- Game 7: Hawks at Knicks (TBD)
Roster Shifts and Historical Context
This matchup serves as a contrast to their previous playoff encounter five years ago, when Atlanta won the series 4-1. That series was defined by Trae Young, who has since been traded to Washington. The Knicks have also undergone significant changes since 2021, moving on from players such as Julius Randle and RJ Barrett.
Current rosters reflect these shifts. The Knicks are now led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, supported by wings OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, along with Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson and Deuce McBride. For the Hawks, big man Onyeka Okongwu is the only remaining player from the 2021 playoff series.
Key Matchups and Performance Trends
The Knicks enter the series as the higher seed after securing 53 wins, the franchise’s highest total since 2013. Under coach Mike Brown, the team improved its offensive and defensive ratings compared to the previous season. Jalen Brunson enters the postseason as an MVP candidate, averaging 29.3 points and 7.8 assists.
Karl-Anthony Towns has emerged as a critical factor in the matchup. In two regular-season meetings against Atlanta, Towns averaged 28.5 points on 63% accuracy and grabbed 13.5 rebounds, qualifying for the 60/50/90 shooting club. Combined, Brunson and Towns scored 11.6 points above their overall averages when facing the Hawks.
Despite the seeding, the Hawks have shown strong momentum. Atlanta was 22-9 after February 1, while the Knicks went 12-4 from March 9. In their three regular-season meetings, the Knicks won the series 2-1, though they were outscored by six points overall across those games. The specific results were:
- December 27: Knicks 128, Hawks 125
- January 2: Hawks 111, Knicks 99
- April 6: Knicks 108, Hawks 105
Organizational Stakes
The expectations for the Knicks are exceptionally high. After reaching the Eastern Conference finals last season before losing to the Indiana Pacers, owner James Dolan has publicly stated that reaching the finals is something the team absolutely have to do
and that they should
win the championship.
The pressure on the organization is compounded by the team’s high cost and the potential for internal shake-ups if they fail to advance. There is also ongoing interest regarding the situation of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, which continues to be a point of interest for New York.
For Atlanta, the series represents an opportunity to pull off an upset as a resurgent team that has thrived following the trade of Trae Young. The Hawks will look to challenge the Knicks’ defense and leverage their recent hot streak to secure a first-round victory.