Hawks and Knicks Face Off in NBA Playoffs

Fans gear up for high-stakes matchup between Eastern Conference rivals

Apr. 19, 2026 at 1:11am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a basketball game between the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks, with the players and court abstracted into overlapping planes of color and shape.The Hawks and Knicks clash in a high-stakes playoff battle, with both teams vying for a spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals.Philadelphia Today

The 2026 NBA playoffs are underway, with the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks set to square off in a highly anticipated Eastern Conference matchup. Both teams fought hard to earn their spots in the postseason, with the Hawks securing a top seed and the Knicks battling through the Play-In Tournament.

Why it matters

This series between the Hawks and Knicks is a clash of two storied NBA franchises with passionate fan bases. The outcome will have major implications for the rest of the Eastern Conference playoffs, as the winner will move one step closer to the NBA Finals.

The details

The Hawks, led by All-Star point guard Trae Young, finished the regular season with the second-best record in the East. The Knicks, meanwhile, had to fight their way into the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament, but are led by a talented roster including Julius Randle and RJ Barrett.

  • The Hawks-Knicks playoff series tips off on April 15, 2026.
  • Game 1 is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

The players

Trae Young

All-Star point guard for the Atlanta Hawks.

Julius Randle

Star forward for the New York Knicks.

RJ Barrett

Rising star guard for the New York Knicks.

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What they’re saying

“This is the kind of matchup that makes the NBA playoffs so exciting. Two great teams, two passionate fan bases, and a chance to advance to the next round. It's going to be a battle.”

— Trae Young, Hawks Point Guard

“We've been working all season for this moment. The Knicks are hungry and we're ready to show what we can do on the big stage.”

— Julius Randle, Knicks Forward

What’s next

The winner of the Hawks-Knicks series will advance to face the winner of the Bucks-Celtics series in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The takeaway

This first-round matchup between the Hawks and Knicks promises to be a thrilling and hard-fought battle, with both teams looking to make a deep playoff run and potentially reach the NBA Finals.