Simply put, New York Knicks fans are foaming at the mouth after noticing the increased chemistry between Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns to finish the regular season. Even something as simple as a successful handoff had fans foaming at the mouth.

Of all the ways they’ve played off of each other, the pick-and-roll has caught fans’ eyes the most.

The immediate question is obvious: How do the Atlanta Hawks — the Knicks’ first-round playoff opponent — match up against this?

Atlanta’s pick-and-roll defense

Atlanta is one of the better defensive teams in the NBA, with premier talent on that side of the ball in Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okungwu, and Zaccharie Risacher.

The Hawks defended the pick-and-roll better than most teams in the NBA this season. When defending the roller, they’re fifth in points per possession allowed and turnover frequency, and 10th in effective field goal percentage against. 

When defending the ball handler, they’re 13th in points per possession allowed and score frequency, and third in turnover percentage. 

So while fans were hoping a Brunson-Towns pick-and-roll duo would carry them past this Atlanta team, that may not be the most essential key.

For the Knicks to pick apart this Hawks defense, it’s more than likely going to reside on picking one-on-one matchups.

Towns vs. Okongwu

Towns has historically dominated Onyeka Okongwu in past years, especially in their matchups this season.

Since 2024, Towns has averaged 29.2 points per 75 possessions against Okongwu. This season alone, his marks are 35.4 points on 93.4% true shooting, both of which are his best in any matchup.

In their most recent matchup, Towns finished the game with 21 points on 9 of 12 shooting. Solely against Okongwu, he had 14 points and shot 6-8. 

He’s such a threat from beyond the arc that he’s able to get Okongwu off his feet with most pumpfakes and drive to the basket.

Towns can’t abuse Okongwu forever, though; the Hawks will adjust. If Towns is having an off-night, the Knicks need to count on their playoff rising captain, Jalen Brunson.

Brunson vs. Daniels

Dyson Daniels has always been a problem for Brunson because of his length and movement. Since last season, Brunson has averaged just 21.5 points per 75 possessions against Daniels. 

In the last matchup against Atlanta, he held Brunson to 3-11 shooting despite finishing with 30 points.

The Knicks will need someone like Mikal Bridges to force Daniels off of Brunson with a screen to get a smaller, worse defender like Nickeil Alexander-Walker or CJ McCollum on. 

Brunson, this season, averages 31.7 points per 75 possessions against Alexander-Walker. 

Win in Transition

New York has been one of the fastest-paced teams in the NBA and has been extremely efficient in transition. The Hawks, however, have struggled to stop teams in transition all season.

Defending in transition, the Hawks are 28th in transition points per possession allowed, 26th in effective field goal percentage, 27th in field goal percentage, 18th in turnover percentage, and second in and-one percentage. They are in the seventh percentile of all teams in overall transition defense.

The Knicks’ transition offense is seventh in points per possession, 10th in effective field goal percentage, third in turnover frequency, and, overall, in the 79th percentile. 

Towns is in the 97th percentile of centers in transition shot attempts. While his efficiency hasn’t been amazing, this aspect of his game could serve as a huge momentum swinger.

The New York Knicks’ 2026 NBA playoff slate begins Saturday night, with tip-off scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET. The Atlanta Hawks will undoubtedly be at Madison Square Garden, and the anticipation surrounding how it unfolds is why we watch.