The New York Knicks let a 12-point fourth-quarter cushion slip away Monday night, falling 107-106 to Atlanta in Game 2 of their first-round series and handing the Hawks a 1-1 tie.
Karl-Anthony Towns, the club’s second-leading scorer on the night with 18 points, attempted only two shots over the final 12 minutes. “The opportunity just didn’t come around,” Towns said. “I trust everybody in this locker room to shoot the ball. The opportunities weren’t available for me in the fourth and it was fine.” The center had posted 25 points and four assists in New York’s Game 1 victory.
Jalen Brunson controlled most late possessions as the Knicks produced just 15 fourth-quarter points. Towns acknowledged the offense “could’ve flowed better” but said he would need to review game film before offering a fuller assessment.
Bench flashes amid defeat
Reserve guard Jose Alvarado provided a spark in limited run, recording three assists, two rebounds and his trademark pestering defense in nine minutes. Center Mitchell Robinson chipped in 13 points, seven boards, a steal and a block across 18 minutes.
Coaching and execution questioned
New York media directed much of the blame at head coach Mike Brown. Stefan Bondy of the New York Post cited Brown’s timeout management, Brunson’s inability to slow CJ McCollum, and OG Anunoby’s late turnover and two missed free throws as pivotal factors in the collapse.
James Edwards III of The Athletic also focused on Brown, highlighting the decision to sit Brunson and Towns to open the fourth quarter—an interval that coincided with Atlanta’s surge. Brown defended the move, noting the group had “been pretty good” during the regular season. “We weren’t good tonight and we turned the ball over a few too many times during that period,” he said. “But we had opportunities where our starters were in, and we were up eight to 10 points and Atlanta closed it. So I wouldn’t just say that specific lineup caused it.”
Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks will attempt to regain the series lead.
Source: Hoops Rumors
