The Knicks are getting themselves into a problem of epic proportions

The Hawks-Knicks series shifted to Atlanta in a very particular context – and not one New York wanted. The situation was dangerous for them after losing home-court advantage in a Madison Square Garden collapse that left them badly exposed. Without that edge, they needed to win at least one of the next two games to keep alive a series that still felt spectacularly open.

That is common in an Eastern Conference far weaker than its counterpart, where first rounds are usually much clearer, with most people fairly confident about who will win and who will lose. That is not the case out West, where home-court advantage has traditionally been essential, but where anyone can win or lose any game.

That volatility is even more pronounced in this series, though it should surprise no one when the Knicks are involved. Used to Tom Thibodeau’s marathon minutes and suffering through every series, they reached the conference finals last year, the franchise’s first since 2000 – far too long a wait for a team this historic. That still did not allow the veteran coach to keep his job, though his replacement caused some surprise: Mike Brown, another coach often branded old-school, accustomed to a previous era of basketball. He has reduced the role of some players, such as Josh Hart, and increased rest for others, but the essence remains the same: the culture led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Things were different in Atlanta. The Hawks moved on from Trae Young, sending him into exile in Washington and saying goodbye to their last major cultural reference point – and probably the best player in franchise history. They had no problem pushing him out of Atlanta, and time has proved them right. Quin Snyder’s team finished sixth in the East, avoiding the play-in nobody wants, and took Game 2 at Madison Square Garden with the feeling that it would not be their only win of the series.

After their revival, that was fantastic news for the Hawks, who have nothing to lose and plenty to gain. That is a dangerous mix for the Knicks, the team under examination in a series that always looked likely to stretch on.New York was used to suffering, but the real danger was that the suffering would arrive too soon.

And the danger was very real. The Hawks won 109-108, taking a 2-1 lead in the series with the next game also in Atlanta. It was a dreadful situation for New York, sealed by a basket from CJ McCollum with 13 seconds remaining. McCollum finished with 23 points and immense grit, before Brunson turned the ball over after a steal by Jonathan Kuminga, who had 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting.

The Knicks trailed throughout and were down by as many as 18, yet somehow, almost inexplicably, led by three – their largest advantage of the night – with 64 seconds left. It made no difference. Atlanta’s win stood despite support for Brunson from OG Anunoby, who scored 29, and Towns, who had 21 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks.

More important were Dyson Daniels’ all-court display – eight points, 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals, despite five turnovers – Jalen Johnson’s 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s 14 points. It was the Hawks’ first playoff win at State Farm Arena since April 21, 2023, when they beat the Celtics in Game 3 of the first round, with Young as the hero. A lot has changed since then.

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