The regular season has come to an end, and the New York Knicks will prepare for a high-pressure, high-paced First Round battle with the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks didn’t seem desperate to grab the fifth seed in the last game against the Miami Heat. However, the numbers show that they have every reason to be afraid of the Knicks knocking them out in the first stage of the postseason.
Young was moved to Washington during the 2025-26 midseason trade period, but that did not impact the Hawks much, who had already found a leader in Jalen Johnson. The Knicks, even though they maintained their top-3 spot in the Eastern Conference, struggled in some patches. Karl-Anthony Towns’ production was an issue, coupled with the injury woes of several key starters, like OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Jalen Brunson.
Hawks vs Knicks head-to-head
The Knicks and Hawks played three regular-season games this season, in which Atlanta lost two that were evenly matched until the end. The last time they met in the playoffs, in 2021, the Hawks were led by dynamic Trae Young, and they trounced the Knicks 4-1.
However, the Hawks have a 5-9 record all-time against the Knicks; the last two meetings were in 1971 and 1999. Things are different this time around, though.
Hawks vs Knicks prediction
The Knicks look like a solid roster, consisting of an elite offensive facilitator in Brunson, a versatile big in KAT, a real hustler and defender in Hart, and an efficient two-way wing in Anunoby and Mikal Bridges. On the bench, they have good scoring options who can take the team forward when Brunson needs a breath.
Landry Shamet, Miles McBride, and Jordan Clarkson have come up big in crucial situations, while Jose Alvardo’s skills are well-known. Looking at the run they have had in the regular season, even with several offensive slumps, the team would be confident to tackle anything that’s thrown at them.
The Hawks, on the other hand, have had an even more difficult regular season, but the tenacity and dedication have been top-notch. Johnson has led the franchise in all categories, and the team trusts him to continue making a massive impact on the lineup. With CJ McCollum, Onyeka Okongwu, and Dyson Daniels to support him, the All-Star forward will look to overcome the pressure of Madison Square Garden.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has found a new light this season after being traded by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is averaging a career-best 20.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists this season, almost doubling his average production all-time. Even with a size advantage and some very talented youngsters, it seems difficult for the Hawks to get on top of the Knicks.
The Knicks are seventh in defensive rating (112.3), which is close to the Hawks in 10th (112.9). However, New York’s offense is ranked fourth in the NBA (118.7), while Atlanta’s is 14th (115), which can make a big difference.
Prediction: The Knicks in six games.
Hawks vs Knicks schedule and where to watch
Game 1 of the first round is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, at 6 PM EST. The schedule for the rest of the games has yet to be decided. Fans can watch the game on Prime Video.
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