If the New York Knicks advance to the second round, they will sell tickets exclusively to fully vaccinated fans. During the first round of the playoffs, fully-vaccinated fans are making up more than 90% of those in attendance at The Garden.

“The energy our Knicks fans have brought to the playoffs has been incredible – proving there’s nothing more exciting than Knicks basketball at The Garden,” said David Hopkinson, EVP, MSG Sports and President, Team Business Operations. “It’s moments like this that show us what’s possible if everyone gets vaccinated – we’ll all be able to get back to doing what we love— and that definitely includes being together to cheer on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.”

Following New York State guidelines, fully-vaccinated sections do not require social distancing and individuals do not need to wear masks when seated. Children under the age of 16 are permitted to sit in a vaccinated section if they provide proof of a negative antigen or PCR COVID-19 test, or full vaccination. Unvaccinated children must wear masks while seated in a vaccinated section, except while actively eating or drinking. 

The New York Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks 101-92 in Game 2, marking the team's first playoff win at Madison Square Garden in more than eight years.

The Knicks were down by 15 in the first half, which Tom Thibodeau chalked up to inexperience.

"We have some guys that haven't been in playoff games, and they'll get better as we go," said Thibodeau. "There's only one way to get experience, and that's you gotta get it. So each game I think they'll get better. I think you learn from each game. You learn from each situation. But I think the fact that those guys have been in big games before is a big plus for our team."

Derrick Rose lead the Knicks with 26 points on 39 minutes.

"I'm just happy that I'm feeling good. We got the win and I played a lot differently than I did in the first game," Rose said. "I was making sure I got into the ball whenever he passed halfcourt. And just tried to play with urgency. I didn't see that last game and I was disappointed in myself."

Julius Randle finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds after going 0-for-6 in the first half.

The Hawks also went 0-for-15 with Randle as the primary defender.

"Our intensity level just went to another level, defensively first. Derrick, Reggie and those guys did a good job getting into the ball. We were able to get stops and get out and play a little bit faster. We were playing with better pace on the offensive end," added Randle. 

Julius Randle embraced Tom Thibodeau's work-first mentality and became the NBA's Most Improved Player in their first season together. 

"When I first got hired I asked him to come in so we could spend some time, just to get to know each other," Thibodeau told ESPN. "And when he came in, you never know the type of shape someone's in, I had an impression of him from coaching against him. I knew he was talented and all those things, but you don't know who the person is. And when I saw -- he was in incredible shape. So I was working him out myself and I saw his work capacity."

During their workouts, Thibodeau saw that they shared basketball values.

"You could see how highly motivated he was," Thibodeau said. "And then when we had our short bubble, just his willingness to come in and work and lead and I could see how hungry he was. I felt like this was the guy that could help set the tone for us. And then he improved in every facet of the game. It's his passing -- we always knew he had the ability to drive the ball, to post-up -- but then adding the 3.

"And the willingness to work and sacrifice for the team -- he's the first guy in, he'll stay late, he comes in every night, all those things. So everything that you would want from a leader and your best player -- he's done that. He's got an unbelievable work ethic, he's a team-first guy, he wants to win, so he's earned everything that he's gotten."

Julius Randle has been named the 20-21 NBA Most Improved Player.

Randle averaged 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game while also shooting 41.1 percent on three-pointers. 

Behind the play of Randle, the New York Knicks finished the regular season fourth in the Eastern Conference. 

Jerami Grant and Michael Porter Jr. rounded out the top-3.

The New York Knicks sold out their 15,000 seat allotment for game 1 and 2 of the playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks.

The team announced that the games represent the largest indoor gathering in New York since the start of the pandemic, and that 90% in attendance will be fully vaccinated.

"I hope everyone in sports and entertainment is listening because the public has spoken -- they are fine with getting vaccinated and want to get back to the experiences they love. This overwhelming response by Knicks fans -- almost 90% of whom are vaccinated -- should silence any doubters. It's time to start booking events and filling up our schedules, so stay tuned," said James Dolan.

The 15,000 seats also represents the largest capacity announced for the playoffs so far. 

Quin Snyder, Tom Thibodeau and Monty Williams have been named the three finalists for Coach of the Year.

Williams and Thibodeau are considered the favorites for the award.

Snyder led the Utah Jazz to the best record in the NBA this season. 

The NBA has fined Nate McMillan $25,000 for detrimental comments asserting bias by the league. 

"Absolutely, I've talked about that to the team a lot," said McMillan. "Basically, I've gone as far as saying the league wants this. They need this, New York, this is a big market for the league, and New York has been out of the playoffs for a number of years.

"And this is a team that our league, they want to see—there's a huge fanbase—and they want to see New York in the playoffs."

Scott Perry signed a one-year contract extension with the New York Knicks in April of 2020 following the departure of Steve Mills and the hiring of Leon Rose.

"Scott Perry only got a one-year contract extension," said Brian Windhorst.

"I think someone should want to hire him," replied Ramona Shelburne. 

"I'll get in trouble for saying this because it will get aggregated, but I hear Scott Perry will be around the Knicks longer," said Windhorst. "He will be. I hear it is all going to be worked out."

The Knicks initially hired Perry during the 2017 offseason. 

Lonzo Ball is expected to have a competitive restricted free agency with the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Chicago Bulls held serious trade talks at the deadline with the Pelicans for Ball.

“Ball in Chicago will be an interesting one to watch,” said Adrian Wojnarowski on the Woj & Lowe Podcast.

The New York Knicks are another team expected to have interest in Ball.

“I think Lonzo will get a pretty good number whether it’s Chicago or New York or some other places.”

The New York Knicks clinched the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference after Sunday's 96-92 win over the Boston Celtics.

The Knicks will play the Hawks in the first round.

"People really didn't believe in us at the start of the season ... it's about what we believe in the locker room," said Julius Randle after the win. 

Randle and RJ Barrett are making their first trip to the playoffs in their careers.

The Knicks swept the Hawks in the regular season, though Tom Thibodeau said they were facing a new team. 

"That means nothing going into the playoffs. So the regular season is the regular season. When you play those games there are a lot of things that go into it. There could be players out. There could be travel involved.

"We know how well they're playing. They've gotten a lot better as the season has gone on. So we're going to have to be ready. We're going to have to play a 48-minute game."