Knicks-Hawks Playoff Series: Oakley, Dolan Attend Game 4 in Atlanta
Charles Oakley and James Dolan were in attendance at State Farm Arena on Saturday, April 25, 2026, for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series between the Novel York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks. Their presence came as the Knicks secured a 114-98 victory to tie the series at 2-2, forcing a decisive Game 5 back in New York.
The Knicks’ win was powered by Karl-Anthony Towns, who recorded his first career postseason triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. OG Anunoby added 22 points and 10 rebounds, although Jalen Brunson contributed 19 points and 7 assists. The victory marked New York’s second win in the series after dropping the first two games in Atlanta.
According to the official NBA playoff schedule, Game 4 was set for 6:00 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, broadcast nationally on NBC and streamed on Peacock. The game tipped off as scheduled, with the Knicks overcoming a 15-point deficit in the third quarter to take control in the final period.
Oakley, a former Knicks forward and franchise icon, has maintained a visible presence throughout the playoffs despite his well-documented history with team owner James Dolan. The two have had a strained relationship since Oakley’s 2017 ejection from Madison Square Garden, but both have attended multiple playoff games this season, signaling a potential thaw in their long-standing feud.
Dolan, who serves as executive chairman of Madison Square Garden Company, has been regularly spotted at Knicks playoff games this postseason. His attendance at Game 4 continued a pattern of visible support for the team during their deep playoff run, which represents the franchise’s best postseason performance since reaching the conference finals in 2000.
The Knicks entered the series as the third seed in the Eastern Conference with a 53-29 regular-season record, while the Hawks clinched the sixth seed at 42-40. New York held advantages in offensive efficiency (fourth in the league) and net rating (fifth), while Atlanta relied on pace and pressure led by Jalen Johnson and CJ McCollum.
Towns’ triple-double performance in Game 4 represented a significant milestone for the Knicks center, who averaged 21.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game during the series. His ability to facilitate from the high post and protect the rim proved crucial in New York’s defensive adjustments after losing the first two games.
Anunoby’s two-way impact continued to be a key factor for New York, with the forward contributing 22 points, 10 rebounds, and multiple steals in Game 4. His perimeter defense helped limit Atlanta’s backcourt production, particularly in the second half when the Hawks shot just 38% from the field.
The victory forced a Game 5 scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden in New York. The game will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock, with the winner taking a 3-2 series lead and returning to Atlanta for a potential Game 6 on April 30.
As the series shifts back to New York, the Knicks will seem to capitalize on their home-court advantage, where they went 30-11 during the regular season. The Hawks, meanwhile, will seek to steal a road victory for the first time in the series after losing Games 1 and 2 at Madison Square Garden.
For continued updates on the Knicks-Hawks playoff series and all NBA postseason action, readers are encouraged to follow official league channels and share their thoughts in the comments section below.
