The New York Knicks are in trouble after losing to the Atlanta Hawks, falling behind 2-1 in their NBA playoff series. The Hawks, led by CJ McCollum, have shown confidence and strong performance, especially in Game 2.
Key points
Knicks are down 2-1 in the playoff series against the Hawks
Hawks won Game 2 with a historic comeback
CJ McCollum has scored 81 points in the series
Game 3 winners have historically won 74% of series
Hawks have a balanced team and rising bench performance
New York KnicksAtlanta HawksCJ McCollumJalen Johnson
For the second time in three nights, the Atlanta Hawks upset New York in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, and now the Knicks have fallen behind in the series, 2-1. In Game 2, it was a historic blown lead in the fourth quarter. With New York’s 109-108 loss Thursday, April 23, it was an inability to complete an attempted comeback after trailing most of the game.
So, as for the question above. In short, the answer is yes.
For one, the Hawks — a balanced team with players who fit specialized roles — are playing with confidence and competing. They’re being led by veteran guard CJ McCollum (who has 81 points this series), they have a pair of dynamic, two-way wings in Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker and they have a bench that is suddenly rising to the occasion.
And, if we’re just playing the odds, history shows the massive importance of Game 3s. In the history of Best-of-7 series, the winner of Game 3 following a 1-1 tie has gone on to win the series 74% of the time.
New York’s offense has been something of a mess. Similar to last season, the Knicks rely far too much on Jalen Brunson, particularly in the clutch. Brunson is New York’s best closer, so this does make some practical sense. But the issue is the operation and the way a lot of these shots are created.
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
Q&A
What is the current series score between the Knicks and Hawks in the NBA playoffs?
The Atlanta Hawks lead the series against the New York Knicks 2-1.
Who is leading the Hawks in scoring during the playoff series against the Knicks?
CJ McCollum is leading the Hawks with 81 points in the series.
What is the historical significance of winning Game 3 in NBA playoff series?
Historically, the winner of Game 3 after a 1-1 tie in Best-of-7 series has won the series 74% of the time.
What factors are contributing to the Hawks' success against the Knicks?
The Hawks are benefiting from a balanced team, confidence, and strong performances from players like Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
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A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
Cleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
A fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
Fans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.
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NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
1 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
2 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
3 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Cleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
4 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
A fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
5 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Fans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.
The ball often stagnates, which leads to other players standing around, waiting for Brunson to make his move.
Thursday night, when New York couldn’t inbound the ball to Brunson successfully on the last play of the game, the entire play broke down, forcing Brunson to try to play hero ball.
Karl-Anthony Towns, who did score 21 points Thursday night, has had inconsistent quarters, and coach Mike Brown often doesn’t do a good enough job of incorporating him as the clear No. 2 option.
And, rather inexplicably, Brown seemingly didn’t correct for an issue in Game 2 that helped spark the Atlanta avalanche that overwhelmed New York: once again, he began the fourth quarter with both Brunson and Towns on the bench at the same time.
Though Brown adjusted and inserted them both back in with 9:25 left to play in the period, it took the beginnings of a Hawks run for him to abandon that strategy.
And while OG Anunoby did bail out New York Thursday with 29 points, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, a pair of starters, combined to score just 2 points on 1-of-12 shooting.
On defense, the Knicks have a glaring problem; throughout the entire series, Atlanta has been hunting Brunson, seeking him out in matchups. Hawks guard CJ McCollum made that abundantly clear when a reporter asked him after Game 2 if he liked that matchup.
Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) defends the shot of New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) during Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on April 23, 2026.
Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) defends the shot of New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) during Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on April 23, 2026.
“What do you think?” McCollum asked the reporter, who shrugged his shoulders and responded in the affirmative.
“Yeah,” McCollum said, with a little extra emphasis.
This continued Thursday night. Whether it was McCollum, who scored 16 points in the first half, many of them after targeting Brunson.
This is not all to say that the Knicks are going to lose this series; there’s plenty of runway left here for New York to course correct and solve their issues.
But time is running out, and the margin for error has become tenuously thin.
Game 4 Saturday, April 25, also in Atlanta, suddenly is as close to a must-win as it gets.
