Knicks Take Game 1 from Hawks 113–102 and Remind Everyone Defense Still Exists

New York controls the game with physical play while Atlanta searches for rhythm in a tough playoff opener

The New York Knicks opened their playoff series with a confident 113–102 win over the Atlanta Hawks, and they did it the old-fashioned way—by making life uncomfortable for everyone involved, especially Atlanta. This wasn’t flashy basketball. This was controlled, physical, and just slightly annoying if you were wearing a Hawks jersey.

From the start, New York set the tone with defense and effort. Every possession felt like work for Atlanta, who struggled to find any consistent flow. The Knicks, meanwhile, played with patience, picking their spots offensively and slowly building a lead that never quite felt safe—but also never really felt in danger.

The Hawks had their moments, trying to speed things up and get back into the game. But every time they made a small run, the Knicks responded immediately. A key bucket here, a defensive stop there, and just like that, momentum was gone again. It became one of those games where Atlanta kept knocking, and New York kept answering the door without letting them in.

By the fourth quarter, the Knicks were fully in control. Not dominating in a flashy way, but in that steady, methodical way that quietly wins playoff games. The Hawks needed a big push to flip the game—and it never came. Instead, New York closed things out with composure and just enough offense to keep things comfortable.

Game 1 goes to the Knicks, who now lead the series 1–0 and look exactly like the kind of team nobody enjoys playing in the playoffs. For Atlanta, the challenge is clear: find a way to break through a defense that clearly enjoys making everything difficult.