The Hawks certainly didn’t try to avoid the Knicks.
They sat most of their starters in their 143-117 loss to the Heat on Sunday night in Miami, despite a win meaning they’d secure the No. 5 seed in the East and first-round matchup with the Cavaliers. With the loss (and a Raptors win, coupled with a Magic loss), the Hawks dropped down to the No. 6 seed, meaning a first-round matchup with the Knicks.
So, knowing a loss was likely without their main players, the Hawks made it clear they at the very least weren’t overly scared of the Knicks.
Hawks coach Quin Snyder claimed to be prioritizing health over matchup.
“Right now, I think we’re excited to be in this situation,” Snyder said ahead of the game. “Whoever we play is gonna be really good. It’s hard to even try to figure that out. It’s possible that certain teams wanna play us. The primary thing is for us to be healthy going into the postseason. That’s been the one thing that has been consistent the last few weeks and months — you don’t know what’s gonna happen. It’s hard to predict all these games, they’re all going on. Wherever it falls is where it falls, and we’ll prepare for the playoffs, regardless of who that is.”
For their own part, the Knicks didn’t seem bothered by it.
Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks reacts to a play during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden on April 12, 2026 in New York City. Getty Images “We didn’t pay any attention to that,” Jordan Clarkson said. “It’s just what they wanted to do.”
Added Miles McBride: “Honestly, we just gotta focus on what we gotta do. I think whoever could’ve been the matchup, we’re focused on what we have to do as a team.”
Sunday’s game meant nothing for the Knicks as a whole. But it was a bit meaningful for McBride.
It was his last chance to re-find his shooting form ahead of the playoffs. McBride had struggled with his shot after returning from sports hernia surgery, which caused him to miss 28 games. In five games before Sunday’s 110-96 loss to the Hornets at Madison Square Garden, McBride shot just 6-for-21 (28.6 percent) from 3-point range.
But Sunday, McBride went 4-for-7 from deep, scoring 21 points overall in 24 minutes. As one of the only main players in the rotation playing, he had plenty of opportunity to get in a rhythm.
“He looked good,” coach Mike Brown said. “It was good to see him just go play free and take any shot he wanted and be aggressive … It was good to see the ball go in a few times.”
Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson passes the ball over Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST What’s happening on and off the Garden court Sign up for Inside the Knicks by Stefan Bondy, a weekly exclusive on Sports+.
OG Anunoby’s ankle injury doesn’t seem to be serious.
Brown said that Anunoby is day to day. Having already locked themselves into the No. 3 seed and with nothing to play for, the Knicks rested four of their five starters (Mikal Bridges started the game to preserve his consecutive games streak, then subbed out) Sunday, including Anunoby.
But it doesn’t sound like the injury will force Anunoby to miss any time in the playoffs.
Anunoby suffered the injury during the win over the Raptors at MSG on Friday.
