It's not going to be a smooth series for the Hawks against the Knicks. Of course, they can still win, but one of the things they couldn't have happen, well, happened. The long-awaited update on Jock Landale's injury arrived Thursday morning, and it certainly wasn't an encouraging one.
The organization didn't hold back. They revealed Landale would miss at least the next two weeks as he recovers from his high right ankle sprain suffered in early April. Simply put, it would be a miracle if he ever suited up for the Hawks in this first-round series. He could be re-evaluated before a potential Game 7, but even then, re-evaluation doesn't mean return.
This is no small setback, as Atlanta needs all the interior help they can get
They were already at a major disadvantage in the frontcourt, and now it'll be even more maximized as the Hawks aim to pull off an upset over the Knicks. With Landale out of the rotation, the only true center Atlanta has behind the undersized Onyeka Okongwu is Tony Bradley. Yikes.
Brutal blow.
— Zach Langley (@ZachLangleyNBA) April 16, 2026
Looks like no Jock for the Knicks series. https://t.co/kBkNvyT4qz
On paper, Bradley would be a solid physical matchup for Mitchell Robinson off the bench, but the small sample size Hawks fans got to see from him was underwhelming. He didn't look to be in basketball shape, and that could make him unplayable in a postseason setting regardless of size.
The more likely option to command nightly minutes at the backup five is Mo Gueye. Despite his defensive excellence and rapid two-way growth, this would give New York an incentive to attack the inside even more. Gueye is too thin to be depended on outside of his normal position, but the Hawks may not have any other choice.
It could've been worse, though. Atlanta could've run into Cleveland and been without their backup center against the dominant frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. The Hawks have to hope the Knicks don't ever go double-big, because they would be in some immediate trouble.
Atlanta's guards will have to eliminate the post threat in any way they can
This is easier said than done, but if any team possesses a backcourt capable of stabilizing a dominant interior, it's the Atlanta Hawks. Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker will have their hands full. While they excel at defending smaller players, they also are able to make forwards and bigs uncomfortable by not allowing them to reach the paint.
Even if they're able to get down low, Gueye is a capable shot-blocker, and Atlanta just has to hope he gains a few pounds before Saturday. This is going to be no light task for the Hawks' frontcourt, but if they can prevail, they can take down anyone.
Add us as a preferred source on Google