Which 25-26 Knick Will Be the Closer Against the Atlanta Hawks in a Potential Series Close?
The New York Knicks are one game away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals after a dominant blowout 126-97 win over the Atlanta Hawks, controlling the game from start to finish. New York now sits one victory away from a potential matchup with either the Boston Celtics or Philadelphia 76ers, as that series approaches Game Six. After winning two straight games, the sky appears to be the limit for a team that entered the season with championship aspirations. Those goals are beginning to look more realistic with every passing game. The Knicks’ biggest concern, the top-seeded Detroit Pistons, are also down 3-1, meaning a trip to the next round could present the first true challenge before a possible run to the NBA Finals. Critics believed New York would handle the Indiana Pacers easily in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, but they fell in six games. With Indiana absent from this year’s NBA Playoffs, the Knicks now have an opportunity to finish business and prove they are ready for the moment.
Jalen Brunson delivered 39 points in the most recent win over Atlanta and posted the highest plus-minus of any player in the game, turning in his best performance of the series. The idea that the Knicks are contenders when Brunson is at his best continues to ring true, as New York won by 29 points. Karl-Anthony Towns has also elevated his game during the postseason. Often known for gaudy scoring numbers, Towns has added another dimension by becoming a playmaker. He has totaled 16 assists over the last two games, consistently finding teammates in the right spots. Brunson and Towns have been major reasons for the Knicks’ success, but as multi-time all-stars, it would not be surprising to see them shine. The bigger question is who becomes the closer in the biggest moment. With Mikal Bridges struggling for consistency this postseason, another player may need to step forward late in the fourth quarter.
Looking at the starting lineup, two players have already made major impacts in this first-round series: Josh Hart and OG Anunoby. Hart continues to do everything possible on both ends of the floor. He opened the series guarding Jalen Johnson, then shifted into the primary matchup against CJ McCollum. After McCollum scored more than 20 points in three straight outings, Hart helped hold him to just 23 combined points over the last two games, ending his reign of dominance. Anunoby, who finished ninth in voting for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, has made his biggest mark offensively. Over the last three contests, he has averaged 23 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game. Neither Hart nor Anunoby may receive all-star recognition, but both have become invaluable role players capable of swinging a playoff game.
The backcourt off the bench also gives New York needed production, as Miles McBride, Jordan Clarkson, and Jose Alvarado are all capable of scoring in bunches. The most important reserve in a potential closeout game, however, may be Mitchell Robinson. In Game Five, Robinson posted a plus-minus of 19, second only to Brunson. While he recorded just seven points and six rebounds, his impact goes far beyond the box score. Robinson boxes out, battles for loose balls, sets strong screens, and uses his seven-foot-four wingspan to disrupt everything near the rim. He has consistently outworked Onyeka Okongwu and Tony Bradley in the paint, preventing Atlanta from gaining an edge inside. The Hawks know who the Knicks’ stars are, but if New York is going to close out the series, the deciding moment may come from an unexpected closer emerging from the shadows.
