Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: Knicks Beat Celtics

Date: April 10, 2026
Host(s): Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Length: 52 minutes (Hour 1 only)
Available: ESPN New York and YouTube Live

Episode Overview

This high-energy hour centers on the Knicks’ big 112–106 win over the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. As New York gears up for the playoffs, the panel breaks down what the victory says about the team, the closing mentality the Knicks displayed, playoff matchups in the Eastern Conference, ticket madness at MSG, and the passionate Knicks fanbase. The hour also has memorable banter about Q-Tip’s birthday and the trio’s personal dynamics.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. Knicks vs Celtics: Statement Win (00:53–09:39)

The Game Recap

• Don opens by highlighting the Knicks’ playoff-ready form, outlasting the Celtics in a loud, playoff-like MSG atmosphere (00:53).

• Jalen Brown was out, but Jason Tatum played, though didn’t have a standout night.

• Josh Hart was “a man on a mission,” and Jalen Brunson did “Jalen Brunson things.”

  “Down the stretch, the New York Knicks looked like a big boy basketball team.”
  — Don La Greca (01:23)

• Alan notes the high-quality, competitive games this week as a refreshing break from regular season doldrums and blowouts (02:14).

• The game had strategic blandness early: both teams avoided showing playoff adjustments, particularly around the pick-and-roll.

Importance and Realism

• Panel agrees: beating Boston, even minus Brown, is meaningful, but doesn't guarantee playoff results.

• "This is not a 60-40 series. This is a 51-49 series. ... These are very closely matched teams.”
  — Alan Hahn (05:24)

• Don adds that closing strength was what set this apart for the Knicks:

  “To have Josh Hart shoot it that well was just a reminder that on the right night, you have different people who can get the job done for this team when it matters.”
  — Don La Greca (07:11)

• Huge for team confidence, especially given last year's late-season inability to beat good teams. Now, back-to-back wins over contenders.

2. Mental Edge and Playoff Preview (09:39–15:34)

• Peter asserts regular-season matchups don’t always predict postseason outcomes—especially in basketball:

  “The only sport in which...the regular season does seem to carry over to the postseason is football.”
  — Peter Vecsey (09:39)

• Alan focuses on the “mental aspect”—winning these games counters the narrative that the Knicks can't hang with elite competition.

• The group eagerly anticipates a Knicks-Celtics playoff matchup, driven by mutual respect and “a healthy amount of, like, I want to beat you.”

Notable Quote:

“Whoever wins, like, I’m into this…You want a good fight. I want to see two good teams that are matched up well with a little history between them.”
— Alan Hahn (11:29)

3. Playoff Picture & Conference Power Dynamics (12:00–15:34)

• Peter and Alan analyze Cleveland’s strategy to avoid Boston and potentially face Detroit, suggesting playoff jockeying is already strategic (12:20).

• Don stakes out his take:

  “Detroit ain’t going to the finals...I am just not buying the experience yet.”
  — Don La Greca (13:36)

• Alan explains how playoff stakes intensify at each round—the “air gets thinner” and only the most experienced teams thrive (14:28).

  “Conference finals, all of a sudden, it’s like, whoa, wait a minute.”
  — Alan Hahn (15:03)

4. MSG Ticket Price Madness (15:34–18:48)

• Don brings up astronomical ticket prices for a regular season game:

  "Twelve hundred there was into a game that did not have playoff ramifications."
  — Don La Greca (16:21)

• Alan explains MSG’s effort to curb resellers.

• Peter argues it’s now as much a ‘hot spot’ for the city’s elite as it is a hardcore fan haven. Love for the Knicks is high, but regular fans are getting pushed out.

"There's a buzz around the team and the people, the well to do people that have that kind of disposable income now want to be there."
— Peter Vecsey (17:12)

5. Listener Calls – Knicks Analysis and Fan Pulse (18:48–24:02)

Best Win of the Year? (19:11–22:43)

• Manny from Flushing ranks this as a top 5 win, alongside the Cleveland Xmas game and Rockets comeback.
• Alan and Don agree, but remind: NBA is about adapting. Alan details how coach Mike Brown shifted his style midseason, evolving from forcing a Warriors-style system to collaborating with his players—especially in getting the most from Brunson and Towns (20:29).

What’s Needed for a Finals Run? (22:43–23:53)

• Merv in Queens asks: “The Knicks need to _____ to make the Finals?”
  • Alan: “Defend. Simple as that. The offense...they are an elite offensive team. They need to defend.” (23:20)
  • Don: “A great Cat throughout an entire playoffs means we could be talking about a Knick championship, in my opinion.” (23:53)

6. More Fan Calls, Debate on Media Takes (30:44–36:53)

Can the Knicks Beat the Celtics at Full Strength? (31:39–36:53)

• Griffin from Connecticut and the hosts react to Chris Canty and Kendrick Perkins’ comments that Knicks can’t beat a fully healthy Celtics team.
• Perkins’ quote:

  “The New York Knicks don’t scare anyone. Not even on Halloween.”
  (34:12 Perk audio clip)

• Alan asserts: That’s just entertainment and perspective; series is truly close, and Knicks fans should feel emboldened.

Notable Exchange:

“Can the Knicks win? Yes. Will they? I can't say that. I can't boldly predict the Knicks are going to beat the Celtics. I think this is going to be... a 51-49... very close matchup.”
— Alan Hahn (36:53)

7. Basketball Tactics, Rotation Questions, and Final Fan Points (37:01–51:39)

• Ball Movement and Engagement (37:01–38:59):
  • Caller Stephen highlights how Brunson’s faster ball movement got Towns (Cat) more engaged—a key offensive wrinkle for the playoffs.
  • Alan: Offense isn't the issue, defense is what will determine playoff success.
• Mitchell Robinson’s Role (39:03–40:18):
  • Mustafa in Randolph asks about Robinson’s playoff minutes.
  • Alan: He’ll play 20–25 minutes, but Towns is the main center due to offensive arsenal. Robinson’s FT shooting is a liability.
• Spike in St. Pete (48:47–51:39):
  • Breaks down matchups: Celtics’ shooters vs Knicks’ defenders, Josh Hart’s accuracy.
  • Predicts: Knicks can “repeat” and beat the Celtics, Pistons lack scoring depth, and Cavs might surprise if they avoid Boston.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Josh Hart’s Confidence:

  "Josh Hart was a man on a mission."
  — Don La Greca (01:23)

• On Fan Hype and Ticket Prices:

  "There are people that want to be there that don’t...understand. They’re there because now it’s become a place you gotta go. There’s a buzz around the team."
  — Peter Vecsey (17:11)

• On Playoff Crunch Time:

  "The air gets thinner in the playoffs the deeper you go."
  — Alan Hahn (14:28)

• On Whether Regular Season Matters:

  "Nothing convinces you of anything in the regular season."
  — Alan Hahn (04:53)

• Kendrick Perkins, ESPN:

  “The New York Knicks don’t scare anyone. Not even on Halloween.”
  (34:12, Perk audio)

• On the Importance of Defense:

  "The Knicks need to defend. Simple as that."
  — Alan Hahn (23:20)

• On MSG’s Current Vibe:

  “It's just...the Garden, it’s the Knicks, there’s a buzz. So you come into New York, you’re like, where do you want to go? What play’s hot, right? …And that’s what last night was about to me.”
  — Peter Vecsey (18:20)

Other Memorable Off-Topic Moments

• Q-Tip’s Birthday Scenarios (26:11–48:13):
  • Shout-outs for hip-hop legend Q-Tip’s birthday, panel banters playfully about music knowledge gaps, and texting etiquette with celebrities.
  • Analogy: Don’s friendship with Q-Tip is likened to Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg.
  • Alan recommends Don listen to "The Low End Theory" to appreciate Q-Tip’s legacy.
• Technical Difficulties/Art Banter:
  • Chuckles about constructing a group “Technical Difficulties” photo with hard hats and tools (27:59).

Key Timestamps

• Opening Knicks Recap: 00:53
• Game Atmosphere & Knicks’ Growth: 02:14–05:24
• Playoff Mentality, Series Predictions: 05:24–09:39
• Cleveland’s Playoff Punting, Detroit Analysis: 12:20–14:28
• MSG Ticket Price Segment: 15:34–18:48
• Fan Calls – Top Wins & Coaching Evolution: 19:11–20:29
• Knicks’ Path to Finals – Quick Takes: 22:43–23:53
• Nick vs Celtics National Media Debate: 31:39–36:53 (includes Kendrick Perkins’ audio at 34:12)
• Offensive Ball Movement/Brunson’s Role: 37:01–38:59
• Mitchell Robinson’s Playoff Role: 39:03–40:18
• Closing Fan Calls/Matchup Deep Dive: 48:47–51:39

Summary Takeaway

This hour is a love letter to Knicks fans, blending smart analysis of a big rivalry win and what it (does or doesn't) signal for the playoffs. It’s a celebration of basketball nuance—coaching flexibility, mental makeup, and the importance of closing games—set against the unique buzz and tension of New York sports. The love for the game, for the city, and for the moment jumps out:

“Every night is just epic basketball... That’s what playoffs are all about. You want to live for that stuff.”
— Alan Hahn (11:29)

For the full playoff buildup and lively New York sports culture, this hour is must-follow for Knicks faithful and basketball heads alike!