The 2025-26 regular season is coming to a close. Thanks to an unprecedented late-season turnaround, the Atlanta Hawks are set to be in a quality position come playoff time. If they indeed get to skip the Play-In Tournament for the first time since 2021, fans will be in store for an entertaining first-round series regardless of the opponent.
With the way they've been playing over this stretch, one could make the argument that it won't matter who they face. Still, with the playoffs nearing, it's important to take a look and evaluate who they might run into.
Each potential opponent brings an attack the Hawks can easily counter
It all depends on where they land, hence the sentiment that they're in firm control over their own destiny. Whether that's at fifth or sixth, they'll likely see a favorable matchup with either the New York Knicks or Cleveland Cavaliers.
Two tough opponents, for sure, but each squad has obvious weaknesses that the well-coached Hawks could exploit. Whether that's a guard-dominant group being stabilized by Atlanta's impressive perimeter defenders or their depth providing too much of a mismatch for their opponent to overcome, the likely underdog would have a variety of ways to apply consistent pressure.
Take the Knicks, for example. They're a team powered by their starting five with glaring internal issues. While they're certainly a big group, their size won't be enough to overpower Atlanta's versatile defensive scheme.
Onyeka Okongwu, who has been making headlines lately, and Karl-Anthony Towns are two of the league's best 3-point shooting centers, paving the way for the series to become a shootout rather than a physically demanding experience. The Hawks would seriously benefit from that, as they've been one of the most efficient teams from the outside since the All-Star break.
Cleveland would give the Hawks a tough challenge, as well, as their frontcourt possesses a real size advantage. As long as Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu can hold their own against Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, the series will be defined by each group's guard play.
Atlanta's guard room would give them the upper hand in any series.
While comparing the backcourts of Cleveland and Atlanta, one crucial difference sticks out. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels are two of the league's most elite defensive players at their respective positions, while James Harden and Donovan Mitchell are commonly seen as liabilities on that end.
The undeniable separator, though, is that Alexander-Walker and Daniels are both incredibly skilled as offensive players. Their attack isn't limited. While they're elite at stopping the ball, they're also more-than capable of generating offense for themselves or others.
Teams around the league are aware of this, which is why they're adamant about moving up and not having to face this dangerous Atlanta squad in the first round.