NEW YORK, NY — The New York Knicks fought back, but their late-game execution once again failed them Thursday night in Atlanta.
In a dramatic Game 3 battle, the Knicks fell to the Hawks, 109-108, giving Atlanta a 2-1 series lead in this first-round matchup. Despite erasing an 18-point deficit and briefly taking control in the final minute, New York couldn’t close the door.
With just over a minute remaining, the Knicks held a 108-107 lead after a strong sequence from Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson. But Atlanta responded immediately, as CJ McCollum delivered a clutch basket to put the Hawks back in front.
On the final possession, New York failed to even get a shot off, turning the ball over while attempting to get it to Brunson.
When asked about those final sequences, Brunson admitted, “I don’t know. I wish I had a better answer for you.”
It was a frustrating finish for Brunson, who scored 26 points but struggled when it mattered most, missing his final two opportunities and failing to generate a clean look in the closing seconds.
The loss overshadowed strong performances from OG Anunoby and Towns. Anunoby led the Knicks with 29 points, while the Dominican-American Towns added 21 points and 17 rebounds, anchoring the team’s second-half push.
Regardless of his double-double, KAT said, “It don’t mean anything if you don’t win, honestly, so that’s really the answer.”
Miles McBride also provided a spark off the bench, knocking down five three-pointers for 15 points.
The Knicks fell to the Hawks in Game 3 of their first round playoff matchup Thursday night in Atlanta which now has New York down 2-1 in the best of seven series – Image Credit: NBA
Still, the Knicks were playing from behind most of the night. After taking an early 9-6 lead, New York was overwhelmed by a 27-12 Atlanta run to close the first quarter. The Hawks’ shooting—6-for-8 from three in the opening period—exposed early defensive lapses, while the Knicks struggled to find rhythm offensively, hitting just 2-of-12 from beyond the arc.
Atlanta extended its lead to as many as 18 in the first half before New York responded with a 12-2 run to cut the deficit to eight at halftime.
Head coach Mike Brown, in his first postseason with the Knicks, acknowledged both the fight and the flaws.
“It was a heckuva game. Obviously, we have to give ATL credit. They won the ball game,” he said in the postgame. “We definitely had our chances. I like the fight our guys showed, the resiliency our guys showed.”
Jalen Brunson and the Knicks will have to answer back quick in Game 4 against the Hawks Saturday to avoid a 3-1 deficit in the best of seven first round series – Image Credit: NBA
Brown also pointed to his own role in the team’s struggles, particularly with lineup decisions and offensive adjustments.
“That’s what my job is to do,” he noted when asked about the lack of consistent bench production. “To keep trying different combinations that might work.”
The pressure is beginning to mount for New York. Brown’s rotation decisions, including limited minutes for Mitchell Robinson and inconsistent bench combinations, paired to inconsistent production in crunchtime as a team depending on Brunson, have come under scrutiny.
Despite the loss, Brown emphasized perspective, stating, “I told them it’s a seven-game series for a reason. This should sting because we gave ourselves a chance despite not playing our best basketball.”
Now trailing 2-1, the Knicks face a pivotal Game 4 with their season’s momentum hanging in the balance.
The question remains: can New York regroup and respond in Game 5 scheduled for this Saturday (6:00PM ET on NBC), or will Atlanta continue to dictate the best of seven series and move closer to pulling off the upset?
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