The third-seeded Knicks were unfazed when they learned they’d be playing the Hawks in the first round instead of Toronto, writes Jared Schwartz of The New York Post. The Raptors needed to win Sunday’s regular season finale against the tanking Nets — which they did — to earn the final guaranteed playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Atlanta could have secured the fifth seed if it had won at Miami, but the team sat most of its rotation members and lost. The Hawks’ defeat, combined with Orlando losing to Boston, moved Toronto up to No. 5, with Atlanta sliding down one spot to No. 6.
“Right now, I think we’re excited to be in this situation,” Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said ahead of Sunday’s game. “Whoever we play is gonna be really good. It’s hard to even try to figure that out. It’s possible that certain teams wanna play us. The primary thing is for us to be healthy going into the postseason. That’s been the one thing that has been consistent the last few weeks and months — you don’t know what’s gonna happen. It’s hard to predict all these games, they’re all going on. Wherever it falls is where it falls, and we’ll prepare for the playoffs, regardless of who that is.”
Guards Jordan Clarkson and Miles McBride said the Knicks are focused on playing their own game, Schwartz notes.
“We didn’t pay any attention to that,” Clarkson said. “It’s just what they wanted to do.”
We have more on the Knicks:
- James L. Edwards III and John Hollinger of The Athletic preview the first-round matchup with Atlanta, with both writers predicting the Knicks to win in six games. Edwards and Hollinger think New York’s size and rebounding will be too much for Atlanta to overcome, though they wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a competitive series. Edwards views Mikal Bridges as the X-factor for New York, while Hollinger lists Jonathan Kuminga as a key swing factor for the Hawks.
- The Knicks hosted a pre-draft workout on Monday that included Kowacie Reeves Jr. (Georgia Tech), Toby Harris (Iona), William Kyle (Syracuse), Jayden Epps (Mississippi State), and Wyatt Fricks (Marshall), reports Ian Begley of SNY.tv (via Twitter). None of those five prospects are on ESPN’s top 100 list. New York controls one first-round pick and two second-rounders in the 2026 draft, Begley notes.
- McBride struggled in his first five games back since returning from sports hernia surgery, but he played well in Sunday’s finale with the Knicks resting all their starters, per Fiifi Frimpong of The New York Daily News. The 25-year-old had 21 points (on 8-of-15 shooting), three rebounds, one assist and one steal through three quarters (24 minutes) prior to sitting out the fourth. McBride said pain management will be key for him for the rest of the season. “Dealing through residual pain of the surgery is not fun, but it’s part of the journey, just trying to do anything I can do to help the team win,” McBride said.
Deuce is such a pro. He’s gonna be a huge part of this playoff run for the Knickerbockers, especially on the defensive end.
The current NYK team is incapable of winning a 7 game series against any team with a record better than 4-2. They don’t have the killer instinct needed. I’m relatively optimistic about a playoff run, just not a pretty one.
I would say that about Towns and Bridges only. They lack the killer instinct. Worse when the going gets rough. They tend to shy away. Hoping these playoffs will be different. I like our bench. Just hope Brown uses it right. Knicks play as a team 10-12 deep plus coach. We can get out the East.
OK. I’m ready to be proven wrong. We shouldn’t need more than 5 games to send ATL home. Let’s just do that. With a minimum of drama.
I know that ATL is a hot team. Also cocky enough to “elect” to play the NYK over CLE in the first round. Still, they don’t match up particularly well with us. They’re a smaller finesse team without a lot of good answers for either KAT or Mitch.
Agree they don’t match up with us. But they got nothing to lose. So Knicks better be ready. Look at it this way. They should get us ready for next round.
I am just going to enjoy it gm to gm. And looking for progress. And guys stepping up now. Can’t just be Brunson lol. It’s why I say 10-12 we have to be locked in.
what do you mean “a record better than 4-2”?
4-0 or 4-1
Jayden Epps! I never thought of him as an NBA player, but everyone should get their shot.
after watching the hawks play last week, new york might set a world record for offensive rebounds. As long as they remember to get back in D, they should be too much for Atlanta 4-1.
ATL will go through, as they have the best player (Jalen Johnson) as awful coach Brown doesn’t realise that NYK can only win if KAT is the hub and center of all the offensive game.
‘Heads Will Roll’: Mike Brown Gets Brutal Verdict on Knicks Future if New York Underperform
link to yardbarker.com
Let’s Go Knicks!!! NBA FINALS or Bust. Changing need to be made if that doesn’t happen. I don’t mean Giannis. Hopefully the Knicks will be more willing to make changes after a failed season unlike my Yankees who continue to fail with the same group and refuse to make changes.
I like our bench. But still all depends on Bridges and Towns. It can’t be just Brunson leading the way. Knicks plays 10-12 as a team. They can have success. Brown has to hold them together.