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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 06: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks drives against CJ McCollum #3 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter at State Farm Arena on April 06, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The 2026 NBA Playoffs are make-or-break for the New York Knicks and their core centered around Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, and the team’s first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks could say a lot about how far they can go in the postseason this year.

While questions remain on the overall chemistry of the Knicks, as well as Towns’ and Mikal Bridges‘ places on the team, New York can make an early statement with a first-round series win over the Hawks.

It might not be the easiest first-round matchup compared to some of the other top-seeded teams in the playoffs, but based on the latest projections, the Knicks are expected to make it to the second round for what would be the fourth year in a row.

Knicks Get Good News On Playoff Series Vs Hawks

According to a recent ESPN NBA Playoff prediction article, 12 of the company’s top insiders predicted the Knicks would beat the Hawks in the first round in five, six, or seven games.

New York vs. Atlanta, just by looking at the history between the two franchises and their recent record and games against each other, might not be an easy sweep for either team.

“Atlanta has a real chance for an upset in this series. The Hawks have a strong starting five and have been hot for months, and Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker will make a spectacle out of trying to slow down Jalen Brunson,” Zach Kram wrote in a separate article for ESPN. “But the Knicks’ superior depth, particularly in the frontcourt, will be the difference: X factor Mitchell Robinson averaged 10.5 rebounds (four offensive) and 2.0 blocks in 19.0 minutes per game against Atlanta this season.”

“The pick: Knicks in 7.”

Additionally, while many see the Knicks vs Hawks series as one with upset potential, despite what ESPN insiders say, New York are the favorites, and with that, the responsibility and expectation is on them to advance to the second round.

James L. Edwards of The Athletic highlighted five reasons as to why the Knicks can either easily take care of the series, or why they’ll fall to a scrappy, young Hawks team. The five factors that could decide the series, as he laid out, are Josh Hart’s three-point shooting, the Brunson-Towns two-man game, bench impact, offensive rebounding outside of Robinson, and point of attack defense.

All of those have been concerns across the entire season, but if they figure out those issues, talent should rein supreme, and the Knicks will get out of the first-round. However, that’s a lot to ask, so a series win is by no means guaranteed, even if that’s what’s predicted.

What Would A Knicks First-Round Loss To The Hawks Mean?

If New York falls to Atlanta in the first round, regardless of how many games, major changes would come to the team from Madison Square Garden.

Towns could be gone. Bridges could be gone. Robinson could walk in free agency.

The Knicks front office moved mountains to build this core, and while it’s just been two seasons together, they could look at major changes this summer if at least another second-round appearance doesn’t come to fruition.

With that, the idea of a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade becomes all the more likely. The Milwaukee Bucks star confirmed trade rumors involving him going to New York were real, and while a deal for him would still be a tough one for the Knicks to make, it could mean Towns, Bridges, or a few others could be on the way out to make room for the 2021 Finals MVP.

“If they (Knicks) lose in the 1st round, Karl-Anthony Towns is not on the Knicks next year,” Chandler Parsons of Run It Back TV said, then saying how an Antetokounmpo trade becomes all the more likely with first-round loss.

“And Giannis 100% is,” his co-host, Michelle Beadle added.

The Knicks vs. Hawks first-round playoff series might not be the most interesting across the entire postseason, but it could be the most impactful, as it will give an insight as to the full potential of this New York roster, and what could come after this season.