NBA Scout Sees Hawks' Chance Against Knicks

Analyst believes Atlanta's chemistry and defense give them a shot in first-round playoff series.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:50pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting an NBA basketball game between the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks, with the players' figures broken down into abstract shapes and forms.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the intensity and competitive spirit of the playoff matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks.Atlanta Today

The Atlanta Hawks are not favored to win their first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, but one anonymous NBA scout believes the Hawks' strong team chemistry and defensive abilities give them a chance to pull off the upset.

Why it matters

The Hawks-Knicks matchup is expected to be a closely contested first-round playoff series, with the Knicks heavily favored. However, if the Hawks can leverage their team cohesion and defensive intensity, they may be able to overcome the Knicks' talent advantage and advance in the postseason.

The details

The Hawks and Knicks split their regular season series 2-2, indicating the teams are evenly matched. While ESPN analysts unanimously picked the Knicks to win the series, one anonymous NBA scout believes the Hawks' strong team chemistry and defensive intensity could give them an edge.

  • The Hawks and Knicks will tip off their first-round playoff series on Saturday, April 19, 2026.

The players

Jalen Johnson

A forward for the Atlanta Hawks.

Karl-Anthony Towns

A center for the New York Knicks.

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The takeaway

This first-round playoff matchup between the Hawks and Knicks could be closer than expected, as the Hawks' strong team chemistry and defensive intensity may allow them to overcome the Knicks' talent advantage and pull off an upset in the series.