The Atlanta Hawks enter Game 5 of their first-round series against the New York Knicks tied 2–2, with veteran guard Buddy Hield providing insight into the team’s postseason mentality.
Speaking to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson ahead of Tuesday’s matchup at Madison Square Garden, Hield outlined how his experience has shaped his role since arriving midseason from the Golden State Warriors.
“It’s just about playing my role, man. I’m letting my voice be heard,” Hield said. “I learned a lot from Steph, Draymond, Steve [Kerr], and guys like Gary Payton II. I know how to get a message across, and I just hope I’m doing a good job with it here.”
Atlanta finished the regular season 46–36, ranking sixth in the Eastern Conference, and has relied on balanced production in the series. CJ McCollum leads the team with 24.5 points per game in the playoffs, while Jalen Johnson has added 19.5 points and 7.0 rebounds.
Hield, who averaged 5.1 points in limited minutes after the February trade, emphasized his off-court contribution as the Hawks navigate a tight series.
“It’s fine, man. Of course, I want to be out there playing, but I’m glad I can share some wisdom to help them,” Hield said. “The guys have been doing really well. We had a tough one Saturday, but we’re at 2–2 in the series, so we just have to keep building.”
The Bahamian guard also described the postseason environment, noting the difference from his previous playoff runs.
“Not really, because I’ve never actually been in a 2–2 series before,” Hield said. “Back with Golden State, it always seemed like it was 3–1 or something else, but we had that one Game 7. You just have to buckle up. In the playoffs, nothing is easy, but it’s what I call ‘fun pressure.’ I think the guys are ready for the challenge coming up.”
That mindset reflects the urgency of Game 5, where home-court advantage shifts back to New York. The Knicks finished the regular season 53–29 and have maintained a strong 30–10 home record.
Hield also pointed to the durability of teammates such as McCollum, drawing comparisons to elite longevity across the league.
“Man, when you take care of your body, there’s no such thing as ‘age’ in the NBA,” Hield said. “You see LeBron at 41 doing what he’s doing. You can’t measure the heart of a champion. CJ works just as hard to take care of himself, and he’s moving as well as anyone out there—if not the best.”
Beyond the series, Hield highlighted his connection to emerging Bahamian talent, including VJ Edgecombe.
“He actually came to my camp when he was about 13 years old,” Hield said. “He wanted to play with the 15 and 16-year-olds… he came in with so much joy, and we’ve been close ever since. I’m just glad to see him excelling.”
With the series level and momentum shifting each game, Atlanta’s ability to execute under pressure will determine whether Hield’s veteran presence translates into a deeper postseason run.
