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The Atlanta Hawks rallied for a 108-100 victory over the New York Knicks, securing their spot in the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas. Trae Young led the charge with 22 points and 11 assists, while De’Andre Hunter and Jalen Johnson showcased their skills by outshining the Knicks’ frontcourt.
Hunter contributed significantly with 24 points, and Johnson made a notable impact with 21 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists. The Hawks emerged as the tournament’s surprise team, having previously defeated the defending champion Boston Celtics and the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in group play, earning the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Next, they will face the Milwaukee Bucks, the top seed in the East, in a highly anticipated semifinal matchup on Saturday.
For the Knicks, Josh Hart scored 21 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns added 19 points and 19 rebounds. Despite starting strong with a 12-point lead, the Knicks fell short in the second half. Trae Young’s performance echoed the 2021 playoffs, as he celebrated on the Madison Square Garden floor once again after eliminating New York.
Takeaway
For the Hawks, advancing from such a challenging pool group is a valuable experience for their young players. With two more wins in Las Vegas, they could claim the championship.
As for the Knicks, who were considered favorites to win the tournament, their disappointing second-half performance marks a tough setback, leaving them with a 0-2 record against the Hawks this season.
Key moment
The pivotal moment came when the Knicks held a 66-62 lead. Trae Young ignited the Hawks’ comeback by scoring eight consecutive points, including two deep three-pointers, before Hunter capped an 11-0 run that shifted the momentum and gave Atlanta a 73-66 lead.
Key stat
In the second half, Atlanta outscored New York 61-46, demonstrating their ability to adapt and overcome adversity.
Up next
While the Hawks prepare for their semifinal in Las Vegas, the Knicks will head to Orlando for a game on Sunday, looking to regroup and bounce back from this defeat.
