During Wednesday’s half, the New York Knicks were in complete control of their NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup against the Atlanta Hawks.
But Atlanta responded with a third-quarter outburst en route to a 108-100 victory to advance to a semifinal matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Knicks opened a 28-22 lead after one quarter of play that they expanded to 54-47 at halftime. The lead increased to 62-52 early in the third quarter. But the Hawks looked like a different team for most of the second half and took their first lead of the game at 68-66 on Trae Young’s 3-pointer.
The Knicks never led again. The Hawks outscored the Knicks, 34-18, in the third quarter and countered a Knicks run in the fourth quarter to silence a frenzied crowd at Madison Square Garden.
Young scored 12 of his 22 points in the third quarter in a performance that echoed his 2021 playoff effort in the Knicks’ first-round loss. He added 11 assists and five rebounds.
The Knicks cut a nine-point deficit to 93-87 midway through the fourth quarter. But the Hawks held off the run and fought back to secure the eight-point victory. As the final seconds ticked down the clock, Young rolled some simulated dice over the Knicks logo, delivering a clear message. The Hawks are headed to Las Vegas. The Knicks are not.
How the Hawks won
The Hawks controlled the ball after halftime with a dominant effort on the offensive glass. They finished the game with a 58-49 rebounding margin that included 22 offensive rebounds.
This was not a one-man show for Atlanta. Fourth-year standout forward Jalen Johnson repeatedly made big plays on both ends of the floor en route to 21 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks.
De’Andre Hunter added 24 points off the bench and made 4 of 5 shots from long range. Onyeka Okongwu had a double-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks off the bench. It’s the type of effort Atlanta is looking for from a young roster looking to move up the Eastern Conference pecking order.
It’s not the type of game the Hawks have consistently produced this season in a 14-12 start. But on Wednesday they took to a big stage in front of a hostile crowd in a playoff-like atmosphere. They have now won seven of their last eight games on their way to the NBA Cup semifinals.
The Knicks had a balanced effort on offense with all five starters scoring in double figures, led by 21 points from Josh Hart. But Jalen Brunson struggled from the field with a 5-of-15 shooting effort that netted 14 points and eight assists.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 points, 19 rebounds and a season-high three blocks. But he played much of the second half in foul trouble before being eliminated in the final minute of the game. No other Knicks player finished in double figures in rebounds, while the Hawks had three players with 11 or more.
The Hawks will face the Bucks on Saturday in Las Vegas. The Knicks are eliminated from the NBA Cup and next Sunday they will play against the Orlando Magic.