hawks season done, knicks in round one

The Atlanta Hawks finished their regular season going 46-36. They clinched the 2026 Playoffs and the Southeast Division title and finished as the sixth seed. Set to face the third seed New York Knicks in the first round, it's a flashback for many to the 2021 Playoffs...but with a completely different cast. The only remaining player from that series for Atlanta is Onyeka Okongwu, who averaged 9.2 minutes off the bench. The Hawks went on to win that series 4-1 and advance to the second round. Defense was the name of the game then and it most surely is the name of the game now for Atlanta. Jalen Brunson is often the main focal point for New York but they have strength in length with Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson, who comes off the bench. It is still to-be-determined whether or not the Hawks will be without the services of their backup big in Jock Landale, which leaves much of the heavy lifting on Onyeka and possibly recent pickup Tony Bradley (along with the supporting member of Mo Gueye). 

This is set to be a series of matchups and maximizing strengths. With the defensive prowesses of Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the Hawks can certainly use their hands to try to force turnovers and run...as pace is one of their strong suits. The Knicks defense will most assuredly throw different coverages at Jalen Johnson and look to frustrate him with physicality, as was seen during their matchups in the regular season. Look for Jalen to play within his game and be certain in his decision-making. Hawks will need to continue to play with the pass and find their teammates. They can't allow outside forces (officiating/physicality) deter them from what has worked.