NBA Eastern Conference Game 2 Preview: Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks (1-0)

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Tip‑off is scheduled for 5:00 PM ET

Venue: Madison Square Garden — New York, NY

Series: Eastern Conference First Round — Knicks lead 1–0

Injury Report

Atlanta Hawks

Onyeka Okongwu — GTD (knee)

Jock Landale — OUT (ankle), expected return May 2

New York Knicks

OG Anunoby — GTD (ankle)

Team Records & Statistical Profile

Atlanta Hawks (46–36, 6th in East)

PPG: 118.5

Opp PPG: 113.0

FG%: 47%

Rebounds: 43.5

Assists: 30.1

New York Knicks (53–29, 3rd in East)

PPG: 116.5

Opp PPG: 102.0

FG%: 48%

Rebounds: 45.6

Assists: 27.4

Recent Team Form

Hawks — Last 5

L 113–102 @ NYK (Game 1)

L 143–117 @ MIA

W 124–102 vs CLE

L 122–116 @ CLE

L 108–105 vs NYK

Knicks — Last 5

W 113–102 vs ATL (Game 1)

L 110–96 vs CHA

W 112–95 vs TOR

W 112–106 vs BOS

W 108–105 @ ATL

Series History & Game 1 Recap

Knicks won Game 1: 113–102.

Jalen Brunson and Karl‑Anthony Towns combined for 53 points.

OG Anunoby added 18 points and 8 rebounds, despite an ankle tweak.

Knicks lead the all‑time regular‑season series 204–195 in favor of Atlanta, but New York has won 6 of the last 10.

Key Player Matchups

New York Knicks — Jalen Brunson

Jalen Brunson

New York Knicks

2025–26 Season

Points

26.0

PPG

Rebounds

3.1

RPG

Assists

6.8

APG

Field Goal %46.7%

Free Throw %84.1%

Games Played:82

Atlanta Hawks — Jalen Johnson

Jalen Johnson

Atlanta Hawks

2025–26 Season

Points

22.5

PPG

Rebounds

10.3

RPG

Assists

7.9

APG

Field Goal %48.9%

Free Throw %78.8%

Games Played:82

Betting Trends

Knicks have won 4 of their last 5.

Hawks were 18–8 ATS after the All‑Star break (Covers).

Game 1 total (215) finished just under the posted number; both teams shot below season averages.

Knicks’ defense (102.0 Opp PPG) is significantly stronger than Atlanta’s (113.0 Opp PPG).

Game Odds

Atlanta Hawks                   216.5

New York Knicks               – 5.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, April 19, 2026

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NBA Editor
Profile: A dedicated NBA analyst with a comprehensive understanding of the league’s tactical evolution, player development pipelines, and organizational dynamics. This columnist delivers in‑depth coverage that blends film study, advanced metrics, and historical context to explain how teams and stars shape the modern game. Background: With extensive experience covering professional basketball, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on roster construction, coaching philosophy, and league‑wide trends. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and breaking down the nuances of an 82‑game season. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and matchup analysis Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive schemes Player evaluation, draft analysis, and trade‑deadline movement Team‑building strategy, salary‑cap dynamics, and front‑office trends Historical context and postseason features Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes and statistical models into insights that resonate with both casual fans and analytically driven readers. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the NBA’s fast‑moving, star‑driven landscape.