25-26 Knicks Down 2-1 in First Round Series Against the Hawks
In back-to-back games, the New York Knicks lost in the final seconds to the Atlanta Hawks. During Game Three, Hawks guard CJ McCollum gave Atlanta a 109-108 lead with 12 and a half seconds left. Even with the last shot on the line, New York could not get the job done, falling behind 2-1 instead of looking to go up in their first-round series. With Game Four on the road, the Knicks face more pressure to tie the series heading back to New York. Either these two losses will define the 25-26 Knicks season, or New York will come back from these defeats stronger and more cohesive.
McCollum Isn’t the True Villain
While the 2018 Most Improved Player has lit up the New York Knicks during the three games of this first-round series, Knicks fans shouldn’t be pointing him as the villain. Collectively, this New York team hasn’t played as well as they could have. Besides OG Anunoby and Miles McBride, every Knick could not hit a three-pointer. Mikal Bridges finished the game with zero points, only shooting three field goal attempts. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for seven turnovers that hurt the team’s effort in winning Game Three. McCollum is having a resurgence within his career, which true basketball fans should be happy to see. However, Knicks fans can’t point to him as the bad guy when the team can’t figure out how to be a cohesive and consistent unit after a full 82-game season.
‘KAT’ Needs to Have Performances Like in Game Three Every Night
During Game Three's loss, Towns finished with 21 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks. These are the type of performances we should see from the six-time all-star night in and night out. In both Game One and Two, the 30-year-old finished with eight rebounds apiece. His huge night on the glass gave New York the edge on the rebounding end, 46-45. If Towns and Mitchell Robinson can keep being the rebounding machines Knicks fans know they could be, New York should easily tie the series in Game Four. If the Knicks want to win the 2026 NBA Finals, ‘KAT’ needs to have performances like this every night going forward.
Three-Point Shooting Makes or Breaks the Knicks
In the 109-108 loss, New York shot 28 percent from deep. Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Jordan Clarkson, Josh Hart, and Jose Alvarado combined to miss 14 attempts from behind the arc. It’s very clear that this team either strives or sinks when it comes to the three-ball. Game Four, the Knicks must be the best versions of themselves from three, if they wanna contend any further in this first round series.
