Hawks Face Tough Final Week to Secure Playoff Spot

Atlanta looks to avoid play-in tournament for first time in four seasons

Apr. 5, 2026 at 8:54pm

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The Atlanta Hawks have won six of their last seven games and are currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. However, they face a challenging final week of the regular season, including matchups against the Knicks, Cavaliers (twice), and Heat, as they look to solidify their playoff positioning and avoid the play-in tournament for the first time in four seasons.

Why it matters

The Hawks have been a consistent playoff team in recent years, but they've had to participate in the play-in tournament the last three seasons. Avoiding the play-in this year would be a significant accomplishment and could give them a better chance of making a deep playoff run.

The details

The Hawks have been led by the strong play of Jalen Johnson and Jonathan Kuminga, who have helped the team win six of their last seven games. The team has thrived in transition, using their athleticism and speed to create scoring opportunities.

  • The Hawks have four games remaining in the regular season.
  • Their final week includes matchups against the Knicks, Cavaliers (twice), and Heat.

The players

Jalen Johnson

A key contributor for the Hawks this season, helping the team solidify its position in the Eastern Conference standings.

Jonathan Kuminga

Another important player for the Hawks, who has helped the team thrive in transition and secure important wins down the stretch.

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What they’re saying

“We've worked hard to establish our identity as a team that thrives in transition, and that's going to be crucial in these final games.”

— Jalen Johnson, Hawks Player

What’s next

The Hawks will need to continue their strong play in the final week of the regular season to secure a playoff spot and avoid the play-in tournament.

The takeaway

The Hawks have put themselves in a good position to make the playoffs, but they face a tough test in the final week of the regular season. If they can continue their strong play and secure wins against their remaining opponents, they will be able to avoid the play-in tournament for the first time in four seasons.