Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
2025-26 NBA Post Season
Playoffs, first round - Game 1
New York Knicks v Atlanta Hawks
Madison Square Garden
New York, New York
Sunday 19 April 2026
Tip-off at 00:00
New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks go head-to-head in the Playoffs for the first time since 2021 when they meet in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round at Madison Square Garden on the morning of Sunday, April 19.
The Hawks won the series 4-1 on that occasion at the same stage of the post season, with the Knicks having come out on top in their only two previous encounters back in 1999 and 1971 (both in the Eastern Conference semi-finals).
Mike Brown's team finished third on the East with a record of 53-29 - the joint-fifth best in the NBA - and they went on a 6-4 run at the end of the season.
Jalen Brunson led their Playoff charge with an average of 26.0 points per game as well as a team-high 6.8 assists, with his best performance coming against Miami Heat on December 21 when he posted an impressive 47 points.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Brown has highlighted New York's competitive spirit as they look to end a 53-year wait for a championship title.
"Everybody in that locker room has a competitive spirit that I like and that I can say is unmatched. I love the group and we're competing," he said.
"Not just for 53 wins, we're competing at the end of the day, like everybody else is, to win it (a championship). For us, we're concentrating on practice, getting ready for Atlanta. But our competitive spirit is there. It's not anything we take lightly."
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Atlanta just edged Philadelphia 76ers to the final Playoff berth in the East, having closed out the regular season with a 6-4 run and an overall record of 46-36.
Jalen Johnson was their standout player, averaging 22.5 points per game, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists in 72 starts. The power forward received his first selection to the NBA All-Star Game as an Eastern Conference reserve.
New York Knicks v Atlanta Hawks - Head-to-head, Post Season
Games played: 14
Knicks wins: 9
Hawks wins: 5
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