Hawks C Landale out for start of Knicks series

The Hawks will be without a key rotation big man for the crucial opening games against the Knicks, forcing them to rely more heavily on their existing frontcourt depth. This absence is significant in a playoff series where interior presence and rebounding are paramount, with the Knicks ranking 5th in the league in opponent paint points allowed. Keep an eye on how the Hawks' remaining bigs perform defensively and on the glass, and if the Knicks exploit this matchup advantage early.