The New York Knicks erased a 13-point halftime deficit to beat the Atlanta Hawks 101-92 on Wednesday, tying their series 1-1. This was their first playoff win since 2013.
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In the early stages of the game, the Atlanta Hawks looked like they were going to walk out of Madison Square Garden with a 2-0 series lead over the New York Knicks. But, a late surge led by Reggie Bullock, Julius Randle and Derrick Rose helped the Knicks to a 101-92 win in Game 2 Wednesday night.
The Hawks, led once again by Trae Young, were getting all they wanted in the first half. De’Andre Hunter and Kevin Huerter were knocking down shots, as each of them finished with 18 points. Trae Young scored 30 points. Unfortunately, a cold shooting stretch at the end of the game, and a resurgent Knicks offense made the difference.
The only reason the Knicks were in a position to take control and eventually win is because of Derrick Rose’s performance. From start to finish, he was the best player for the Knicks, finished with 26 points, four assists and four rebounds off the bench in 39 minutes of action, the most for any player on the team.
Starting point guard Elfrid Payton played just five minutes and finished the game with one point. Rose’s 14 first-half points kept the Knicks treading water heading into halftime, and it led coach Tom Thibodeau to start him in the second half instead of Payton.
The winner of the NBA’s Most Improved Player Julius Randle finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds. This despite having a poor first half. He went 5 for 16 in the second half after going 6 for 23 in the first.
Rose was asked about the interaction between Trae Young and the Madison Square Garden crowd in the series. He said it was business as usual.
“The league got so soft, but that’s basketball,” Rose said. “He came in, he played a great game and the crowd’s supposed to do that. His reaction’s supposed to be that way. It’s supposed to amp up and bring the atmosphere, the environment to where it is right now. I mean that’s what I’m used to.”
