Knicks' defense shuts down Hawks in Game 1 win

Knicks ramp up intensity in second half to take control of the game

Apr. 19, 2026 at 4:33am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 in Game 1 of their playoff series, with their defense locking down the Hawks in the second half. After the Hawks had an easy time scoring in the first half, the Knicks ramped up their defensive intensity, holding Atlanta to just 47 points over the final 24 minutes. The Knicks forced the Hawks into difficult shots late in the shot clock and limited their 3-point shooting in the second half.

Why it matters

The Knicks' ability to shut down the Hawks' offense in the second half was the key to their Game 1 victory. If the Knicks can consistently replicate that defensive effort, it will be a major advantage for them in the series.

The details

The Knicks held the Hawks to just 19 points in the third quarter as they took control of the game. Atlanta went cold from 3-point range, making just 6 of 21 attempts in the second half after shooting 8-for-16 in the first half. The Knicks also did a good job of defending the Hawks' small-small pick-and-roll, which had given them trouble early on.

  • The Knicks held the Hawks to 47 points in the second half after Atlanta had 55 points in the first half.

The players

Miles McBride

A Knicks player who said the team did a better job of making catches difficult and getting to loose balls in the second half.

Mike Brown

The Knicks' head coach, who said the team's improved defense on the Hawks' small-small pick-and-roll was key in the second half.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

A Hawks player who was held to 17 points on 6-for-17 shooting by the Knicks' defense.

Jalen Johnson

A Hawks player who scored 23 points but shot just 8-for-19 as the Knicks turned him into an inefficient scorer.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We just didn't stop on plays. I feel like they were getting out and they were winning the space battle, getting open and getting to their spots. I feel like in the second half we really cut that off. We made catches difficult, and we got to loose balls.”

— Miles McBride, Knicks player

“Their small-small pick-and-roll is a problem. And our guys did a pretty good job of defending that the right way in the second half. It kinda got away from us early in the game, and they got some open looks from it, but our level of physicality without fouling was really good in the second half, as well as our communication with their small-small pick-and-roll.”

— Mike Brown, Knicks head coach

What’s next

The Knicks will look to build on their strong defensive performance in Game 1 and continue to shut down the Hawks' offense for the remainder of the series.

The takeaway

The Knicks' ability to ramp up their defensive intensity in the second half and limit the Hawks' scoring was the key to their Game 1 victory. If the Knicks can consistently replicate that defensive effort, it will give them a major advantage in the series.