In a thrilling game at State Farm Arena, the New York Knicks narrowly escaped with a victory against the Atlanta Hawks, holding on to a 108-105 win after a dramatic final play. The excitement peaked when CJ McCollum launched a half-court shot that banked in, but was ultimately ruled no good after a review determined the ball was still in his hands as the buzzer sounded. The shot was ruled no good, securing the Knicks’ hard-fought victory.
With just 1.2 seconds on the clock, Jalen Brunson’s clutch free throws extended New York’s lead to three points, setting the stage for McCollum’s last-second attempt. Brunson was instrumental throughout the game, leading the Knicks with 30 points and 13 assists, earning “MVP” chants from the crowd during his 17-point fourth-quarter performance. Karl-Anthony Towns also shone for New York, contributing 21 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists.
For the Hawks, the loss marked their first at home since early February, snapping an impressive 13-game home win streak. Nickeil Alexander-Walker was a standout, scoring 36 points, including 20 in the first half, which helped Atlanta maintain a 57-53 lead at halftime.
The Knicks managed to overturn this deficit with a 17-6 run in the latter part of the third quarter, heading into the final period with an 81-79 advantage. Towns was a key player in this surge, contributing 14 of the Knicks’ 28 third-quarter points.
Jalen Johnson recorded his 48th double-double of the season for Atlanta, delivering 21 points and 11 rebounds. Dyson Daniels also contributed significantly with 11 points and 12 rebounds, while McCollum added 17 points and three triples. Veteran center Tony Bradley made his debut for the Hawks, having been signed earlier that day.
Jock Landale was notably absent for the Hawks due to a right high ankle sprain, which he suffered during Atlanta’s 130-101 win over Orlando on Wednesday.
Upcoming Matches
Looking ahead, the Hawks will face the Cavaliers on Wednesday night, while the Knicks are set to host the Celtics on Thursday night.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
