Knicks Defeat Hawks 113-102 in Game 1 of Playoff Series

New York opens as 5-point favorites in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden

Apr. 20, 2026 at 3:31am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the action of a basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in the colors of the Knicks and Hawks uniforms.The Knicks' stifling defense and rebounding prowess proved too much for the Hawks in Game 1, setting the stage for a tightly contested playoff series.NYC Today

The New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 in Game 1 of their first-round NBA playoff series. The Knicks led by as many as 15 points and held on for the victory, taking a 1-0 series lead. New York opened as 5-point favorites for Game 2, which will be played on Monday at Madison Square Garden.

Why it matters

This series marks the first postseason meeting between the Knicks and Hawks since 2021. The Knicks are looking to make a deep playoff run after a 53-29 regular season, while the Hawks are hoping to pull off an upset after finishing the year 46-36.

The details

In Game 1, the Knicks shot 47.5% from the field and 48% from 3-point range, led by Jalen Brunson's 28 points. The Hawks struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 43.7% overall. New York also dominated the rebounding battle, grabbing 45 boards compared to 40 for Atlanta.

  • The game was played on Monday, April 20, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
  • Game 2 of the series will be played on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

The players

Jalen Brunson

The Knicks' starting point guard, who scored 28 points on 9-of-22 shooting in Game 1.

CJ McCollum

The Hawks' leading scorer in Game 1, finishing with 26 points on 11-of-20 shooting.

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What they’re saying

“We must take care of the ball better and limit their second-chance opportunities if we want to even this series.”

— Trae Young, Hawks point guard

“Our defense set the tone tonight, and we were able to capitalize on their mistakes. We know they'll make adjustments, so we have to be ready for their best shot in Game 2.”

— Tom Thibodeau, Knicks head coach

What’s next

Game 2 of the series will be played on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The takeaway

This series has the potential to be a hard-fought, back-and-forth affair between two talented teams. The Knicks' stifling defense and ability to control the glass will be key factors as they look to take a 2-0 lead, while the Hawks will need to make the necessary adjustments to even the series.