Knicks blow 14-point lead, drop Game 2 as Hawks rally late in stunner at MSG

(© Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

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Knicks blow 14-point lead, drop Game 2 as Hawks rally late in stunner at MSG

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Knicks blow 14-point lead, drop Game 2 as Hawks rally late in stunner at MSG

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Knicks blow 14-point lead, drop Game 2 as Hawks rally late in stunner at MSG

(© Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

The Knicks blew a largest lead of 14 points and were outscored by the Hawks, 28-15, in the fourth quarter of a 107-106 Game 2 loss Monday night at MSG.

Takeaways

1. Initially, New York's depth showed. Mike Brown's rotation work in 10 players and netted six double-figure scorers. Chief among them, off the bench, Mitchell Robinson dropped 11 of his 13 points in the first half. Robinson, who added six first-half rebounds, asserted himself in the early action while Karl-Anthony Towns took time to get going. All five of the Knicks' starters ultimately performed -- until late -- taking the load off of Jalen Brunson and Towns until they respectively hit their strides, but Robinson's initial dominance was especially key.
2. A do-it-all effort by Josh Hart showed up on both ends, especially in the first quarter when the Knicks needed a boost. Hart's 15-point, 13-rebound double-double is the type of performance that takes New York to a different level when Brunson and Towns are contained. As mentioned, the Knicks' co-stars collectively found their way when they came alive in the third and fourth quarters. Hart's first-half surge -- like Robinson, Hart was already in double figures with 10 points while adding seven rebounds and four assists -- is a difference-making effort when the opposition briefly contains Brunson and Towns.
3. Speaking of Towns, he struggled to come through in the first half with only four points on just three shots. Give Towns credit for his aggressiveness in the third quarter. With the Knicks holding a 61-54 halftime lead after Mikal Bridges' buzzer-beating jumper, Towns' 14 third-quarter points helped push New York's 91-79 advantage entering the game's final 12 minutes. The Knicks would have liked more from Towns in the fourth quarter, though, where he was held scoreless.
4. His running mate, Brunson, willed the Knicks with a team-high 29 points. Those included a game-tying trey, 103-103, with 1:23 left in the fourth quarter and a last-ditch effort to keep the Knicks alive after a triple at the eight-second mark. On 10-of-26 shooting, though, Brunson had his misses. He needed more around him late. Bridges' attempt at the game-winning shot missed after CJ McCollum's two rare missed free throws with five seconds left.

Who's the MVP?

McCollum. Despite his inability to put the game on ice in the final seconds, he scored a game-high 32 points that allowed the Hawks to storm back, challenge New York in crunch time and ultimately steal Game 2.

Highlights

What's next

The Knicks head to Atlanta for Game 3, which tips off Thursday at 7 p.m.