Knicks Bench Struggles in Game 1 Put Landry Shamet on Shorter Leash

Shamet's poor shooting performance raises concerns about the Knicks' second unit ahead of Game 2 against the Hawks.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 6:10pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball game, with overlapping planes of vibrant orange, blue, and green colors, conveying the energy and intensity of the Knicks' playoff matchup against the Hawks.The Knicks' bench struggles in Game 1 raise questions about the team's depth and ability to support its starters in the playoffs.NYC Today

The Knicks' Game 1 win over the Hawks exposed some early concerns for the team, including the bench's quiet performance. Landry Shamet, who played the second-most minutes among the second unit, scored just 3 points on 1-of-5 shooting from three-point range. This has left head coach Mike Brown considering backup plans in case Shamet's struggles continue, as the Knicks need their bench to step up and take some of the scoring load off the starters.

Why it matters

The Knicks are a team with championship aspirations, and their ability to get production from their bench will be crucial in the playoffs. Shamet's poor performance in Game 1 raises questions about whether he can be relied upon to provide the 3-and-D role the team needs from him, especially with the Hawks proving to be a pesky opponent.

The details

Shamet turned his 18 minutes of playing time into just 3 points, going 1-of-5 from three-point range. Some of his misses were ill-advised, while others were the kind of spot-up opportunities he's expected to thrive on. His lack of production has left the coaching staff considering other options, such as giving more minutes to Jordan Clarkson and Miles McBride, who both outperformed Shamet in Game 1.

  • The Knicks defeated the Hawks 113-102 in Game 1 on April 18, 2026.

The players

Landry Shamet

A Knicks guard who struggled in Game 1, scoring just 3 points on 1-of-5 shooting from three-point range.

Mike Brown

The head coach of the Knicks, who is now considering backup plans in case Shamet's struggles continue.

Jordan Clarkson

A Knicks wing who made the most of his 11 minutes in Game 1, scoring 8 points on 4-of-6 shooting.

Miles McBride

A Knicks guard who outscored Shamet 6 to 3 while adding 2 assists in his 21 minutes of play.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

A Hawks guard who struggled in Game 1, shooting 6-of-17 for 17 points.

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What’s next

The Knicks and Hawks will play Game 2 on April 20, 2026, where the Knicks will look to get more production from their bench, especially Landry Shamet, to take a 2-0 series lead.

The takeaway

The Knicks' struggles to put away the Hawks in Game 1, coupled with the poor performance from their bench, particularly Landry Shamet, have raised early concerns about the team's depth and ability to sustain success in the playoffs. The Knicks will need to find ways to get more consistent production from their second unit if they hope to make a deep postseason run.