Knicks, Hawks Set For NBA Playoff Clash

First-round matchup tips off Sunday in Atlanta

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:53am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an abstracted basketball game between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and line.The Knicks and Hawks' first-round playoff clash promises an intense, high-scoring battle between two of the NBA's most exciting young teams.Atlanta Today

The New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks will meet in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, with Game 1 set for Sunday, April 12th in Atlanta. The two teams finished the regular season with identical 48-34 records, setting up an intriguing postseason clash between the Eastern Conference foes.

Why it matters

This will be the first playoff meeting between the Knicks and Hawks since 2015, reigniting a rivalry between two of the NBA's most passionate fan bases. The winner of this series will advance to face either the Milwaukee Bucks or Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The details

The Knicks and Hawks split their four regular season matchups, with each team winning twice at home. Both squads are led by All-Star caliber players, with the Knicks featuring forward RJ Barrett and the Hawks countering with guard Trae Young. This series is expected to be a high-scoring affair, as the two teams ranked in the top 10 in the NBA in points per game this season.

  • The first-round series between the Knicks and Hawks begins on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
  • Game 2 will be played on Tuesday, April 14 in Atlanta.
  • The series then shifts to New York for Games 3 and 4 on Friday, April 17 and Sunday, April 19.

The players

RJ Barrett

All-Star forward for the New York Knicks.

Trae Young

All-Star guard for the Atlanta Hawks.

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What they’re saying

“This is going to be a really fun series between two talented teams. The Knicks and Hawks have built up a nice rivalry over the past few years, and I expect the intensity to be high from the opening tip.”

— John Gonzales, NBA Analyst

“We're excited for the challenge of facing the Knicks in the playoffs. They're a tough, physical team, but we feel confident in our ability to match that intensity and come out on top.”

— Trae Young, All-Star Guard, Atlanta Hawks

What’s next

The winner of the Knicks-Hawks series will face either the Milwaukee Bucks or Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, with that matchup expected to be announced by the NBA on Monday, April 20th.

The takeaway

This first-round playoff clash between the Knicks and Hawks features two of the Eastern Conference's most exciting young teams, setting the stage for an intense and high-scoring series that will captivate basketball fans across the country.