By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Atlanta Hawks stunned the New York Knicks with a 107–106 victory at Madison Square Garden on Monday evening, tying their best-of-seven series in the opening round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, at 1-1. Despite the hosts entering the fourth quarter with a commanding 14-point lead, they suffered a late collapse as the visitors mounted a relentless comeback. CJ McCollum powered the Hawks with a 32-point performance, while France’s Zaccharie Risacher, the lone European option for head coach Quin Snyder, did not see action. British forward OG Anunoby started for Mike Brown’s side after shaking off a probable tag for a left ankle sprain to finish with 14 points, but France’s Pacome Dadiet and Mohamed Diawara, Poland’s Jeremy Sochan, and Germany’s Ariel Hukporti all remained on the bench throughout the contest.
Elsewhere, the Cleveland Cavaliers protected their Rocket Arena home floor to secure a 2-0 series lead over the Toronto Raptors with a 115–105 win. Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Evan Mobley dominated the proceedings, combining for 82 points in a wire-to-wire victory, with German reserve Dennis Schroder contributing five points and four assists in 14 minutes, though France’s Olivier Sarr and the Netherlands’ Tristan Enaruna were inactive. For the team coached by Darko Rajakovic, Austrian starting center Jakob Poeltl was limited to two points in nine minutes as the Serbian tactician favored smaller lineups, while Georgian forward Sandro Mamukelashvili posted a double-double with 12 points and ten rebounds off the bench.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 0-1 (101-112)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 2-0 (126-113, 115-105)
3. New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 1-1 (113-102, 106-107)
4. Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 1-0 (123-91)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 1-0 (119-84)
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 1-0 (107-98)
3. Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 1-0 (126-115)
4. San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 1-0 (111-98)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions