Knicks vs Hawks tips off the 2026 NBA Playoffs on Saturday night, and the pressure inside Madison Square Garden will be sky-high from the opening whistle. New York Knicks owner James Dolan made his expectations crystal clear before the season began – it’s Finals or bust. Last year, the Knicks fell short in the Eastern Conference Finals, which cost Tom Thibodeau his job. New coach Mike Brown now faces his first real postseason test, and it starts with a surging Atlanta Hawks squad that has been one of the hottest teams in the entire league. Here is everything you need to know before Game 1.
How Both Teams Got Here
The Knicks vs Hawks first-round pairing is a matchup New York would rather have avoided. The Knicks finished the regular season 53-29, claiming the third seed in the Eastern Conference. It was not always a smooth ride – Karl-Anthony Towns and the rest of the roster took time to adjust to Brown’s system – but the team figured things out as the year progressed, made important defensive improvements, and won the NBA Cup along the way.
Atlanta finished 46-36 to earn the sixth seed. A daring January trade made the Hawks change the direction of their season, trading point guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards and acquiring veteran leader CJ McCollum. The move lit a fire under the squad. The Hawks went 19-6 in their final 25 regular-season games, building one of the most dangerous stretches of form heading into the postseason.
Players to Watch: Brunson, Alexander-Walker, and Johnson
In any Knicks vs Hawks series, Jalen Brunson is the central figure for New York. In the regular season, he had an average of 26.0 points per game with a 46.7 percent field shooting percentage and 7.1 attempts per three-point shot in his career. When Brunson is neutralized, the Knicks’ entire offense suffers.
For Atlanta, Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been virtually unstoppable of late. He averaged 24.6 points over his last 14 games and lit up the Knicks for 28 points per game across three regular-season matchups, scoring at least 21 in each of those games. Do not expect him to slow down in the playoffs.
Jalen Johnson rounds out the must-watch list. The 6-foot-8 forward had the best season of his career – 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game while shooting 48.9 percent from the field. He gives Atlanta a true two-way star capable of determining the series on his own.
The Three-Point Problem
The defining chess match in this Knicks vs Hawks series will happen behind the arc. Atlanta ranks in the top ten in three-point attempts (39.5 per game), three-point makes (14.6), and three-point percentage (37.1%) this season. New York, on the other hand, allowed 13.9 threes per game – the tenth-most in the league – at a 36.2 percent clip. Over their final 15 games, the Knicks surrendered 14.5 threes at a 38.1 percent rate. In three regular-season meetings against New York, Atlanta hit 37.2 percent of 121 three-point attempts. If the Hawks get hot from deep at MSG, this series could get uncomfortable for New York very quickly.
Series Prediction
The majority of analysts favor the Knicks vs Hawks series going to New York in six or seven games. The Knicks carry more star power, more playoff experience, and home-court advantage. However, Atlanta’s 20-6 record since the All-Star break – paired with the second-best defensive rating in that same stretch – makes the Hawks a genuine threat to steal this series. One Yahoo Sports analyst even picks Atlanta in seven. Expect hard-fought basketball before New York ultimately advances.
FAQs: Knicks vs Hawks
Q: When and where is Knicks vs Hawks Game 1?
Game 1 will be the 18th of April, 2026, 6:00 PM ET in Madison square garden in New York City. It is broadcasted on Amazon Prime Video and TSN4.
Q: What is the regular-season history between the Knicks vs Hawks this year?
New York won the season series 2-1, but both Knicks wins came by just three points. Atlanta won one game by 14 points at MSG in early January, proving they can compete in this building.
Q: Who is favored in the Knicks vs Hawks series?
The Knicks are favored at -5.5 on the spread and -225 on the moneyline for Game 1. Most analysts predict New York to win the series in six or seven games, though Atlanta’s red-hot recent form makes them dangerous.
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