Atlanta center Tony Bradley said the Hawks need to “hit the Knicks in the mouth first” when the teams meet, insisting the club must establish a physical tone from the opening tip.
Bradley made the comment on April 16, 2026, as the Hawks prepared for their upcoming matchup with New York. The veteran big man stressed that an aggressive start is essential to keep the Knicks on their heels and prevent New York’s home crowd from seizing early momentum.
“We can’t wait for them to punch us first,” Bradley said. “We have to be the ones who set the tone.”
His remarks come with Atlanta looking to advance in the postseason after an uneven regular campaign. The Hawks are counting on Bradley’s interior presence and leadership to complement star guard Trae Young in the high-stakes showdown.
Source: New York Post
