In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Hawks faced off against the Detroit Pistons. Despite losing Henderson to an eye injury in Game 1, and losing Crawford to a shoulder injury in Game 2, the Hawks defeated the Pistons in five games, but would be swept by the 8th-seeded New York Knicks in four straight games in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals. The Knicks would become the first #8 seed to reach the NBA Finals, but would lose in five games to the San Antonio Spurs. This season would also be the last time the Hawks appear in the playoffs until 2008.
