The NBA regular season has officially concluded, and the intensity of the playoffs is set to begin. For the Atlanta Hawks, this marks a significant achievement: by winning the Southeast Division, they have secured a direct playoff berth for the first time since 2021, successfully bypassing the play-in tournament. That 2021 run was historic, as the Hawks surged all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals, setting a high bar for this year's squad.

Now, the stage is set for a thrilling first-round matchup. As the No. 6 seed in the East, the Hawks will take on the No. 3 seed New York Knicks, promising a classic clash of styles and a charged atmosphere. The series kicks off this Saturday, April 18th, with Game 1 at the iconic Madison Square Garden, tipping off at 6 p.m. ET.

For Hawks fans looking to bring the energy to State Farm Arena, the presale for potential home Games 3 and 4 is now live on the team's official website and Ticketmaster. The full first-round schedule will be finalized later this week.

While the immediate focus is on the Knicks, the ultimate goal for every team remains the same: hoisting the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. The journey to the title will be broadcast on ABC, with the 2026 NBA Finals scheduled to begin on June 3rd. The full Finals schedule, should the series go the distance, runs through June 19th.