Mar 22, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) shoots as Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) defends during the second half at Verizon Center. The Washington Wizards won 104 - 100. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

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The Washington Wizards begin their journey in the 2017 NBA playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks Sunday in an Eastern Conference first-round bout.

The 2017 NBA playoff bracket is finalized and features an Eastern Conference first-round series between the Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks. The series opens Sunday, April 16 at 1:00 p.m. ET on TNT within the friendly confines of Verizon Center.

With the conclusion of the regular season Wednesday, the NBA released the complete schedule for each first-round playoff series on Thursday including the fourth seed Wizards versus the fifth seed Hawks.

Here is the full schedule for the first-round series between the Wizards and Hawks:

https://twitter.com/BaltimoreWireFS/status/852557496921317376

As the 2017 Southeast Division champions for the first time ever, the Wizards hold home-court over the Hawks and will play not only Game 1 at home but Game 2 as well before traveling to Atlanta for two games.

Most fans prefer the Saturday afternoon or night games, but due to the Washington Capitals’ scheduled Game 2 matchup Saturday night at Verizon Center, the NBA had no other choice but to schedule the Wizards’ Game 1 first-round series for Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET.

This season, the two teams collided four times, first in the 2017 season opener where the Wizards fell to the Hawks, which began the path to a baffling 2-8 start. Eight days later at Verizon Center, the Wizards won their first game of the season and evened the season series.

The Wizards picked up victories the following two games to secure the season series 3-1.

Much has changed since the two battled in the 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Wizards no longer have 10-time All-Star Paul Pierce, who averaged 14.6 points in the playoffs including a game-winning shot at the buzzer in Game 3 of the East Semifinals.

The Hawks have moved several key players since 2015 including the top three leading scorers Al Horford, Kyle Korver, Jeff Teague and veteran DeMarre Carroll.

Be sure to stay tuned for more coverage on the Wizards and Hawks East first-round playoff series which begins Sunday at Verizon Center.