Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks Prediction, Injury Reports and Starting Lineups Tonight | Game 2, 2026 NBA Playoffs

The New York Knicks have a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Round 1 over the Atlanta Hawks and will look to extend their lead in the second game at Madison Square Garden on April 20. They came with defensive tenacity and a better transition game, two areas in which the Hawks are considered one of the strongest. Do you think the Hawks can come up with an answer?

The Hawks suffered several trades this season, but they built a team culture that led them to the playoffs. The Knicks, on the other hand, have been resilient and maintained the third seed even after several offensive woes. Game 2 will give the direction this series will take from here.

Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks Game Details

The Knicks-Hawks matchup will be on NBC and livestreamed on Peacock at 8:00 PM(ET). The game can also be streamed on ABC. NBA League Pass will be an alternative online streaming option for viewers globally.

Hawks vs Knicks Odds

Moneyline: Hawks +188, Knicks -225

Spread: Hawks +5.5(-110), Knicks -5.5(-110)

Total: Hawks O217.5(-108), Knicks U217.5(-112)

(Odds sourced via FanDuel)

Hawks vs Knicks Preview

The Hawks and Trae Young have had a complicated relationship, and even with him gone, the MSG crowd was at its best in Game 1. Atlanta tried to hang around until the middle of the game, but the Knicks pulled away in the third quarter, winning the period, 26-19.

Karl-Anthony Towns, who was a topic of conversation in the regular season, found a new life with 25 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks. He was active on both sides of the floor and helped space the floor with Jalen Brunson, who led the team with 28 points and seven assists. Moreover, every starter posted double-figure scores at the end.

Josh Hart was as impactful as ever, with his double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds, five assists, and three steals. The bench also added 20 points, as the Knicks looked in shape and form to cruise through the first round.

The Atlanta Hawks were battered defensively in the game. Only Dyson Daniels had three steals among the starters and a total of five, compared to seven from the Knicks. Moreover, there is a lack of a reliable scoring option that can shoot and lay the floor for their talented wings. Even then, the perimeter shooting from Onyeka Okongwu, Jalen Johnson, and CJ McCollum helped in keeping the Hawks together. 

The mismatch in size between the two teams was exposed when someone like Mitchell Robinson was on the floor. The New York Knicks train is mainly fueled by the offensive engine of Brunson. If the Hawks want to give themselves an opportunity in the series, they’ll have to come up with some smothering defense on Captain Clutch.

Hawks vs Knicks Injury Reports

Hawks

Jock Landale remains out of the squad due to a right high ankle sprain, while Onyeka Okongwu has been listed as ‘Questionable’.

Knicks

OG Anunoby is listed as ‘Probable’ with a left ankle sprain.

Hawks vs Knicks Starting Lineups

Hawks

PG – CJ McCollum, SG – Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SF – Dyson Daniels, PF – Jalen Johnson, C – Onyeka Okongwu*(Jonathan Kuminga)

Knicks

PG – Jalen Brunson, SG – Josh Hart, SF – Mikal Bridges, PF – OG Anunoby*(Jordan Clarkson), C – Karl-Anthony Towns

(*featured on IR)

Hawks vs Knicks Prediction

The New York Knicks will remain as the favorite for the second game. The Atlanta Hawks didn’t seem to have any answers to Brunson and KAT’s electric plays. Considering the Knicks are a better side defensively and offensively, they will likely extend their lead to 2-0.

The Knicks can win by under 10 points.

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