'You just can't give games away:' How the Knicks collapsed against the Hawks - and what they need to clean up

Key Points:

• The New York Knicks lost Game 2 to the Atlanta Hawks 107-106 after squandering a 12-point fourth-quarter lead, with missed free throws and turnovers cited as key factors in the defeat.
• Knicks coach Mike Brown emphasized the importance of winning each game regardless of location, but the team struggled in the fourth quarter offensively, scoring only 15 points in 22 possessions.
• The Hawks exploited defensive mismatches by targeting Knicks star Jalen Brunson, who had a poor shooting performance in the fourth quarter, while also using varied defensive coverages to disrupt New York’s offense.
• Lineups without Knicks stars Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns struggled to maintain the lead in the fourth quarter, with turnovers and missed shots allowing Atlanta to gain momentum and eventually win.
• Despite the loss, Knicks players expressed confidence in their ability to learn from mistakes and respond in Game 3, highlighting their experience in similar playoff situations from the previous year.