The Atlanta Hawks are still the only team that has beaten the New York Knicks more than once in a playoff series this season. While Atlanta has long since been eliminated after losing in the first round and being blown out in the series-deciding game, it is a series that is aging in Atlanta's favor, even with the blowout taken into account.
Watching the NBA Finals, the feat that Atlanta accomplished by beating this New York team twice continues to grow all the more impressive. New York holds a 3-1 series advantage over the San Antonio Spurs and holds the record for the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history after erasing a 30-point deficit.
This is after the Knicks swept both the second and third rounds of the playoffs, with the Hawks the only Eastern Conference team to earn a single win against New York. It is reason to consider running it back while exploring possible free agency and trade improvements around the team's current core. San Antonio is widely considered one of the league's most talented rosters and is coming off a series win over the OKC Thunder.
Being unable to beat New York but once in four games speaks to what Atlanta accomplished and the growing respect for a team that has growing confidence around a young core that exploded after a midseason trade of point guard Trae Young.
Hawks Have Every Reason to Celebrate Playoff Accomplishment Despite First-Round Exit
It is important to note that this isn't to say the Hawks accomplished anything of note, but rather pointing out the obvious that they are heading in the right direction. If the ultimate goal is winning an elusive championship, it is telling that you were the only Eastern Conference team to notch a win against the eventual conference champions and a team that appears destined to hoist the trophy.
Atlanta has every reason to stay the course and believe that this past season was a major step in the right direction. You're armed with a top-ten pick and the needed cap space to make improvements with the confidence of being the only playoff team to give the Knicks cause for concern.
Looking at the current roster, the biggest concern remains who the Hawks will rely on when the clock is running down, and you need your best player to take over. Jalen Johnson hasn't yet proven to be this player as Atlanta's team brand leaves this obvious weakness. Still, there is reason for a high level of optimism as the team's two playoff wins continue to age in their favor.
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