The general assumption is that the Knicks will take down the Hawks easily due to their advantage in postseason experience. Of course, they've been to the Conference Finals more recently, but the bulk of Atlanta's roster is beginning to get overlooked. Ignoring underrated contributors is never a wise idea for a team or their media to take part in.
Onyeka Okongwu is prepared for this exact environment, and it could lead to a career-defining series for him. Looking back at the last time the Hawks avoided the Play-In Tournament, it was in 2021 when they ran into the Knicks. The roster is almost entirely different from when they last met, but there's a lone exception: Okongwu was there.
While his role was minimal, Atlanta could rely on him more this time
A limited role is still a role. He's actually the only player remaining from that 2021 Hawks squad, directly showcasing this organization's belief in him as a cornerstone. Their approach to Okongwu's future was unknown at the time, but they trusted in him enough to play him nightly playoff minutes as a rookie. That's not nothing.
He was the reliable backup of Clint Capela, a role he remained in for entirely too long. It was understandable at the time, as Capela was at his peak as a defender and lob finisher, anchoring Atlanta's unprecedented run to the Eastern Conference Finals.
They're going to need to see a similar level of dominance from their starting center this time around, but not in a traditional way. Okongwu is able to excel on the perimeter, either as an offensive hub or outside shooting threat. His volume and on-ball reps will determine how effectively he'll be able to operate against New York's unpredictable defensive scheme.
He's going to have to take what he learned from the last time he faced these guys in the playoffs and apply it to this upcoming series.
OO won't let the MSG environment intimidate him or his teammates
Anytime a high-stakes matchup makes its way to Madison Square Garden, the outcome is less dependent on how the home team plays, but on how the crowd is able to get in the heads of the opponent. Not everyone is built to succeed in front of the loudest fans in the world.
This year's Atlanta Hawks, however, seem to be in good hands. Not only does Okongwu have vital experience playing in this exact environment, but they're a squad full of closers. While there's certainly a good bit of inexperience on the roster, their key veterans are made for moments like these, and they've proven it time and time again.
The usage of Onyeka Okongwu in this upcoming series is going to determine how far they can go, and if the crowd noise ever becomes too much, they'd be silly not to look for him.
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