Knicks Dominate Hawks in Game 1 Without Key Players

New York's depth and versatility prove too much for Atlanta in series opener.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 1:08am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game, with overlapping planes of color and shape representing the action on the court.The Knicks' well-rounded attack overwhelms the Hawks in Game 1, hinting at New York's ability to adapt and overcome any defensive strategy.NYC Today

The New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 in Game 1 of their playoff series, despite missing key contributions from center Mitchell Robinson and guard Jose Alvarado. The Knicks' strong play from Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, along with their dominance on the boards and in limiting turnovers, allowed them to control the game without needing to rely on their full roster.

Why it matters

The Knicks' ability to win convincingly without maximizing the production of two of their most important players is a concerning sign for the Hawks. Robinson and Alvarado are crucial to New York's success, and if the Knicks can continue to thrive without them, it raises questions about Atlanta's ability to counter the Knicks' depth and versatility.

The details

The Hawks tried to neutralize Mitchell Robinson by employing a "hack-a-Mitch" strategy, limiting him to just 3 points and 4 rebounds in 15 minutes. However, this did not slow down the Knicks, who still won the rebounding and turnover battles. New York was also highly effective when Robinson was on the floor during the regular season, going 40-20 when he grabbed 10 or more rebounds. Jose Alvarado, another key Knicks player, did not see any playing time in Game 1, but the Knicks were 18-10 when he played during the regular season and 16-5 when he played more than 10 minutes.

  • The Knicks defeated the Hawks 113-102 in Game 1 of their playoff series on April 20, 2026.

The players

Jalen Brunson

A starting guard for the New York Knicks who had a strong performance in Game 1.

Karl-Anthony Towns

A starting forward for the New York Knicks who also played well in the Game 1 victory.

Mitchell Robinson

The Knicks' starting center, who was limited to just 3 points and 4 rebounds due to the Hawks' "hack-a-Mitch" strategy.

Jose Alvarado

A key reserve guard for the Knicks who did not see any playing time in Game 1, but has been an important contributor for New York during the regular season.

Quin Snyder

The head coach of the Atlanta Hawks.

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What they’re saying

“It's a little bit of pick your poison.”

— Quin Snyder, Hawks Head Coach

What’s next

The Knicks and Hawks will play Game 2 of their playoff series on April 22, 2026.

The takeaway

The Knicks' ability to dominate the Hawks in Game 1 without maximizing the production of two of their most valuable players, Mitchell Robinson and Jose Alvarado, is a concerning sign for Atlanta. It suggests the Knicks have the depth and versatility to overcome any defensive strategies the Hawks employ, making them a formidable opponent in this series.