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Hawks' road to victory in Game 1 is staring them right in the face

Dyson Daniels' defense on Jalen Brunson could swing this game.
ByAntwane Willis|
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Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder reacts on the sideline during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at State Farm Arena on April 10, 2026.
Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder reacts on the sideline during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at State Farm Arena on April 10, 2026. | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The postseason has finally arrived, and with it comes the pressure of achieving championship glory. Every team wants to come home with the Larry O’Brien trophy, and for the Atlanta Hawks, making the playoffs is a remarkable feat given their 26-30 record at the All-Star break. If they want to win this series, starting things off in Game 1 is key. They will look to Dyson Daniels to make a statement.

The key to stealing Game 1

Now, they find themselves as the sixth seed at 46-36, facing the third-seeded New York Knicks. Every game is going to be a battle, but if the Hawks can steal Game 1, it’ll open up the door for an upset.

To maximize their chances of stealing Game 1, it starts with Dyson Daniels defending Jalen Brunson. His lethal scoring is the focal point, averaging 29.3 and 7.7 assists in three games against Atlanta this season. 

New York won the season series 2-1, but their last meeting offered valuable insight ahead of the postseason. We saw Daniels give the two-time All-Star a fair amount of adversity, making him work for every single shot.

Daniels was his assignment the entire time, and he downloaded data with his cerebral approach. The defensive pressure forced Brunson to shoot 11-of-26 from the field on an abysmal 42.3 percent. Now, with a potential seven-game series on the horizon, Daniels has the opportunity to apply his teachings on the world stage. They need him to come out on top.

The battle of the supporting cast

If he’s able to make Brunson uncomfortable, it’ll force his teammates like OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges to create for themselves. They’re formidable foes on the perimeter, but the Hawks have their own athletic wings to level the playing field.

Although the series will have many adjustments on both sides, it all ties back to their strategy for Game 1. Put the best defenders on Brunson and hope for the best. It’s also possible that Quin Snyder will use his 6-foot-7 Great Barrier Thief to defend the 7-foot Karl Anthony-Towns and the 6-foot-5 Nickeil Alexander-Walker to defend the 6-foot-2 Brunson instead. 

Regardless of the result, this experience for such a young team can only make the Atlanta Hawks better. It’s obvious that this is the core for the future, so the upcoming Game 1 could be the dawn of a new era. 

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