In a thrilling game on Monday night, the New York Knicks narrowly defeated the Atlanta Hawks 108-105 in Atlanta. The match’s outcome was sealed when CJ McCollum’s potential game-tying half-court shot, taken just as the buzzer sounded, was disallowed after a review. Officials determined that the ball had not left McCollum’s hands before time expired, preserving the Knicks’ lead.
Jalen Brunson was pivotal for the Knicks, contributing significantly with 30 points and 13 assists. His calm performance at the free-throw line, scoring two crucial points with only 1.2 seconds left on the clock, widened New York’s lead to three. Brunson’s fourth-quarter heroics, where he scored 17 points, were particularly instrumental in securing the team’s 51st win of the season, drawing MVP chants from the crowd at State Farm Arena.
Karl-Anthony Towns also made a significant impact for New York, scoring 21 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and providing six assists. His performance in the third quarter, where he scored 14 of the Knicks’ 28 points, was key in overcoming Atlanta’s halftime lead of 57-53.
On the Atlanta side, Nickeil Alexander-Walker was the top scorer with 36 points, 20 of which came in the first half. Despite his efforts, the Hawks were unable to maintain their lead. Jalen Johnson contributed with his 48th double-double of the season, tallying 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Dyson Daniels added another double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. McCollum ended the game with 17 points and three successful three-pointers.
This defeat ended the Hawks’ impressive 13-game home winning streak, marking their first home loss since early February. Additionally, veteran center Tony Bradley made his debut for the Hawks, having been signed earlier in the day. Jock Landale was absent due to a right high ankle sprain sustained in the previous game against Orlando, where Atlanta secured a 130-101 victory.
Upcoming Games
Looking ahead, the Atlanta Hawks will face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, while the New York Knicks are set to host the Boston Celtics on Thursday night.
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