Knicks' 14-point lead vanishes in crushing Game 2 playoff loss to Hawks
NEW YORK - The New York Knicks fell short in Game 2 of the NBA playoffs first round against the Atlanta Hawks, losing 107-106. Despite leading by as much as 14 midway through the third quarter and eight with under five minutes left in the fourth, the home team didn't execute down the stretch.
Even when the Hawks struggled late, the Knicks made just two of their final eight shots over the game's final 4:55. That left room for Atlanta to inch their way back, eventually taking the lead with two minutes left.
The Knicks tied things back up several times after that point. But head coach Mike Brown said postgame that the team needs to 'lock in,' citing it as why they didn't capitalize on their opportunities to win.
Knicks starter and locker room leader, Josh Hart, was seemingly in agreement with Brown regarding the team's areas for improvement after Monday. The Swiss Army knife told reporters at Madison Square Garden that he feels New York is primed to recover from the loss.
'We've been in this position before. Obviously, everyone is frustrated with this loss. And we're going to go into Game 3 with great attention to detail and great focus for a full 48. We've got high character guys who respond well, so,' Hart said, letting media fill in the rest.
Despite struggling from behind the 3-point arc, the 30-year-old veteran had a strong Game 2 performance. Hart scored 15 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and assisted on six baskets in 35 minutes. That was more scoring than OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges delivered on Monday night.
But, like many other key Knicks, Hart's impact was far less noticeable in the fourth quarter. He took just one shot in seven minutes and came up with a key steal late. But the Knicks failed to capitalize on it with a score.
Tied 1-1, the Knicks will travel down to Atlanta with more urgency than they seemingly would have liked to need in this 1st round matchup. Brown clearly isn't crying over spilled milk, though. The coach, who's been to six NBA Finals and won four as an assistant, says the Game 2 disappointment simply sets his squad up to prove their status as a contender.
'Atlanta came in, did what they wanted to do here. They took one from us at home. In my opinion, you gotta win on the road if you're gonna go where you expect to.'
