Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are among the players expected to remain with Atlanta.

The Atlanta Hawks’ playoff loss to the Knicks showed a need for more size, strength and toughness if the team wants to make a deeper run next season.

Hawks coach Quin Snyder guided a turnaround that had Atlanta 20-6 after the All-Star break, the third-best record in the NBA. A playoff series vs. the Knicks is next.

Game 3 on April 23 and Game 4 on April 25 will be the Hawks’ first home playoff games since a season-ending loss to the Celtics in April 2023.

The Hawks will either be the fifth or sixth seed in the playoffs, depending on what happens on Sunday, and will face the Knicks or the Cavaliers in the first round.

Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker has produced a convincing case for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.

After their win over the East-leading Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday, the Atlanta Hawks ascended to fifth place in the standings.