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Knicks Postseason 2026, 1st Round vs. Atlanta Hawks

I'm back with another one of these posts, collecting my thoughts and ponderings through the NBA Playoffs. For this one, we'll stick to just the 1st Round vs. the Atlanta Hawks. 

I'm already nervous. 

Last year's opening round series vs. the Detroit Pistons added gray hairs to my beard. And the year before? That opening playoff series vs. the Philadelphia 76ers likely took some years off my life. 

So yeah, here we go again...

Some quick thoughts  before the series begins from this fan: 

The Atlanta Hawks were NOT my top pick for matchups in the first round. They definitely picked us. But the Playoffs are the Playoffs - everyone is good! I'm concerned about this...I really am.

  • My Key Matchup: Dyson Daniels on Jalen Brunson
  • My Key Stats:
    • The Knicks led the NBA in 4th Quarter Net Rating - That is an attribute that is vastly being overlooked in this series. The Knicks are very good in the closing quarter - they have been all year. It's an identity that will surely help in the Playoffs. 
    • Hawks Pace of Play - While the Knicks were 7th in defensive rating all season, the Hawks' style of play is athletic, long, and fast. They were fifth in pace of play all year. That pace in the regular season gave the Knicks some trouble, especially when the Hawks are knocking down the three, particularly Nickeil Alexander-Walker
  • My Key Player: Karl-Anthony Towns
    • The Hawks don't have much size and don't feature athletic bigs. Towns has feasted on Onyeka Okungwu for his career, with some big numbers recently. KAT has to assert himself early in this series. Especially if the Knicks continue to unveil their (intentional hidden secret?) new two-man game sets with Brunson and KAT. 
Ugh, the NBA playoffs are here. I won't be able to sleep. 

We'll see...

#LGK

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