The New York Knicks let a golden chance to take command of their first-round series slip away Thursday night in Atlanta, dropping a 109-108 heartbreaker to the Hawks. A go-ahead bucket by Atlanta and a turnover on New York's final possession wiped out a furious comeback and left the Knicks staring at a 2-1 series deficit, with fresh scrutiny on how they handle crunch time heading into Game 4.
Late sequence decided the game
The decisive stretch came in the closing seconds. CJ McCollum drilled a tough two-point fadeaway with 0:12 remaining to push Atlanta in front, and on the ensuing inbounds Jalen Brunson lost the ball as Jonathan Kuminga came up with the steal, according to CBS Sports. It capped a frantic finish where both sides swapped leads and free throws, but the Hawks were the ones who cashed in last.
Knicks now face a road test
New York had trailed for long stretches before clawing back, yet never managed to generate a clean look on its final trip. The loss drops the Knicks into a 2-1 hole and turns Saturday's matchup in Atlanta into an early pivot point in the series, as reported by the New York Post. With momentum tilting toward the Hawks, New York suddenly has to tighten up ball security and late-clock execution on a very short timeline.
Key numbers
Brunson finished with 26 points and four assists, while OG Anunoby poured in 29. Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points and 17 rebounds, but the Knicks were outscored in the clutch, per CBS Sports. Atlanta's bench delivered timely bursts and, when it mattered most, the Hawks simply made the closing plays New York could not.
What it means
The loss amplifies concerns about the Knicks' late-game play-calling and the turnover risk that comes with leaning so heavily on Brunson to initiate under pressure. It also gives Atlanta a clear blueprint for how to crank up defensive heat in the final minutes. That pattern first showed itself in Game 2 when the Hawks rallied at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks will not have to wait long to respond, with Game 4 set for Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on national television, and they will need a far cleaner finish to avoid sinking into a deeper hole, per the New York Post. Expect coaching tweaks, plenty of film on those final possessions, and a heavy emphasis on protecting the ball before New York heads back to Atlanta.
