The New York Knicks will host the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 of their playoff series on April 18, 2026, at Madison Square Garden. The game is set to begin at 6 p.m. ET and will be streamed on Prime Video.
The Knicks enter the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, finishing the regular season with a record of 53-29. They won two of three regular-season meetings against the Hawks, who are the No. 6 seed with a record of 46-36.
Coach Mike Brown leads the Knicks, who have homecourt advantage throughout this series. They have made the playoffs for four consecutive seasons, a notable achievement for a franchise that has not reached the NBA Finals in 25 years.
But the Hawks come into this matchup with their own challenges. Atlanta struggled early in the season, starting with an 18-21 record before trading franchise staple Trae Young. Coach Quin Snyder will need to adjust his strategy as they look to upset the higher-seeded Knicks.
The key to success for the Hawks may hinge on defensive assignments against Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Their ability to contain these players could determine how well Atlanta performs.
Historically, the Knicks lead the all-time playoff series against the Hawks 2-1. This adds another layer of intrigue as both teams prepare for what promises to be a competitive first-round series.
Fans are eager to see if the Knicks can capitalize on their homecourt advantage and advance deeper into the playoffs. The stakes are high for both franchises as they seek postseason glory.
The atmosphere at Madison Square Garden is expected to be electric as fans rally behind their team. The Knicks step into this series with newfound NBA Finals aspirations.
As Game 1 approaches, anticipation builds across New York and Atlanta alike. Both teams know what’s at stake — a chance to move closer to championship dreams.
