The New York Knicks are making sure their fans feel every bit of the playoff energy before the first tip-off. Ahead of their first-round showdown against the Atlanta Hawks, the Knicks are going all out, hosting a massive free outdoor party in New York City on April 18, bringing the orange-and-blue fans together before Game 1 kicks off at Madison Square Garden.

What Is Playoff Palooza?

The Knicks have officially dubbed the celebration “Playoff Palooza,” and it’s open to all fans, completely free of charge. The event is hosted at SummerStage in Central Park, located near the park’s entrance at Fifth Avenue and 72nd Street, and runs from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM ET. Fans can register for the event directly on the website.

What to Expect at the Party

The Playoff Palooza is packed with activities designed specifically for Knicks fans. Attendees will have the rare chance to meet Knicks alumni in person, with alumni appearances confirmed at each watch party location as well.

The fun includes the Knicks Crosstown Express Bus presented by DoorDash, face painting, temporary tattoos, vertical jump games, spin-to-win contests, free samplings from Snapple and C4 Energy, a vintage photobooth, and plenty more giveaways.

Following Playoff Palooza, the Knicks will host Game 1 Watch Parties outdoors at two locations: Plaza33 on 33rd Street outside Madison Square Garden and back at SummerStage in Central Park.

How to Watch Knicks vs. Hawks Game 1

Game 1 between the Knicks and Hawks tips off at 6 p.m. ET on April 18 at Madison Square Garden. The game will be streamed exclusively on Prime Video, and is not available on traditional cable TV. New Amazon Prime customers can catch the game through a 30-day free trial.

The Knicks enter the series as heavy favorites, finishing the regular season at 53–29, while the Hawks come in as the No. 6 seed at 46–36.

April 18 Game 1 at Knicks 6 p.m. Prime Video April 20 Game 2 at Knicks 8 p.m. NBC, Peacock, DIRECTV April 23 Game 3 at Hawks 7 p.m. Prime Video April 25 Game 4 at Hawks 6 p.m. NBC, Peacock, DIRECTV April 28 Game 5* at Knicks TBD TBD April 30 Game 6* at Hawks TBD TBD May 2 Game 7* at Knicks TBD TBD

Date	Game	Time (ET)	Where to Watch

The Knicks’ Playoff Road Ahead

New York went 2–1 against Atlanta during the regular season, winning matchups on December 27, 2025, and April 6, 2026. The Hawks made the playoffs despite a midseason trade involving former star point guard Trae Young, making their first-round path significantly tougher against a battle-tested Knicks squad.

Madison Square Garden is one of the loudest arenas in the league, giving New York a massive home-court advantage as the Knicks chase their deepest playoff run in years.