Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder outlined a wide-ranging tactical and mindset approach ahead of Game 3 of their first-round series against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, focusing on adjustments, player roles, and handling playoff adversity.
Snyder emphasized lineup flexibility and readiness as the series evolves. “Anything is open to discussion offensively and defensively,” he said, underscoring that “when you’re in the playoffs, everything should be on the table.”
“The thing about Jalen is he can impact winning in lots of ways,” Snyder said about Jalen Johnson.
He highlighted Johnson’s off-ball influence. “His gravity is real,” Snyder said, noting the constant attention the Haws forward draws from opposing schemes. “He’s done a really good job adjusting throughout the games as far as how they’re guarding him,” Snyder added.
The Hawks coach stressed the importance of transition offense as a counterbalance. “We want to keep finding ways to get out in transition,” Snyder said, adding that this remains a primary focus for Atlanta’s attack.
However, he acknowledged New York’s defensive countermeasures. “They’ve done a good job trying to take that away,” Snyder said regarding transition opportunities.
Snyder also broke down CJ McCollum’s evolving role in the series. “He was still being aggressive, but he was even more aware of the impact he could have on his teammates,” Snyder said about McCollum’s Game 2 adjustments.
He described McCollum’s game management as a stabilizing factor. “He’s been really good at managing the game in that sense,” Snyder said.
Still, Snyder emphasized balance between creation and scoring output. “Obviously that’s something we need in addition to being able to hit a shot in timely fashion,” he said.
On matchup dynamics, Snyder acknowledged the physical demands placed on opposing stars. “It’s consistent through every series, nothing different,” he said about Brunson’s defensive attention.
He reinforced the Knicks guard’s competitive identity. “Jalen Brunson is a winner,” Snyder said, adding that it is reflected in “the way he plays both ends of the floor.”
Snyder also addressed Atlanta’s internal adjustments within games, especially involving Jonathan Kuminga’s impact. “When someone’s having an impact on the game the way he was, we need to take advantage of those opportunities,” he said.
Defensive discipline remains a key emphasis for the Hawks. Snyder highlighted aggressiveness without sacrificing structure, pointing to the importance of “applying pressure without gambling.”
He also stressed situational awareness across possessions and roles. “Those situations change so much from game to game and really within a game,” Snyder said.
On handling adversity, Snyder framed it as a defining playoff factor. “How you handle it is the biggest thing,” he said.
He acknowledged both teams’ competitive nature in the series. “We’re a competitive team, but so are the Knicks,” Snyder said.
As the series shifts momentum into Game 3, Snyder reinforced the long view. “There’s a long runway,” he said, emphasizing continuous adjustment and execution over emotional swings.
He also credited Atlanta’s roster versatility and collective effort. “We need to be ready to be called on in any situation with any player,” Snyder said.
