The New York Knicks fell to the Atlanta Hawks 108-100 at Madison Square Garden, a game defined by Atlanta’s relentless offensive rebounding and a third-quarter surge that the Knicks failed to counter. Head coach Tom Thibodeau and star guard Jalen Brunson spoke candidly about the team’s shortcomings in the postgame press conference.
Thibodeau: “Hustle Points Were the Difference”
Coach Thibodeau lamented the Knicks’ inability to secure defensive rebounds, pointing to Atlanta’s 22 offensive boards—an unwelcome milestone as the most New York has conceded in over two years.
“The difference in the game is probably the hustle points,” Thibodeau said. “We knew going in they were a strong offensive rebounding team, and we didn’t match their aggression. The third quarter was a turning point. Our energy dipped, and we can’t let that happen.”
The Hawks erased a halftime deficit with a 12-0 run early in the third, fueled by second-chance points and three-pointers. Thibodeau experimented with smaller lineups due to foul trouble for key players, including Karl-Anthony Towns, but acknowledged the challenges of countering Atlanta’s size and physicality.
“With Precious [Achiuwa] at the five and Og [Anunoby] at the four, we were small,” Thibodeau explained. “We needed someone to put a body on their bigs like Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu. They’re relentless on the boards, and that hurt us.”
Brunson: “Unacceptable to Finish Possessions Like That”
Jalen Brunson, who struggled offensively, echoed Thibodeau’s sentiments, emphasizing the need to close out defensive possessions and not let offensive struggles impact other aspects of their game.
“Finishing possessions defensively was the biggest thing we learned tonight,” Brunson said. “They had way too many offensive rebounds. Offensively, it just wasn’t our night, but that can’t affect our energy or defense.”
The Knicks missed 13 straight three-pointers at one point, a dry spell that seemed to sap their morale. Brunson acknowledged the mental toll but stressed resilience as a necessary quality.
“We’re human, so missed shots can frustrate you, but at the end of the day, it can’t impact our defense,” Brunson said.
Trae Young Adds Salt to the Wound
The game’s climax featured Hawks star Trae Young dribbling out the clock and mockingly rolling imaginary dice on the Knicks logo at center court. Asked about Young’s actions, Brunson was curt: “We should win the game if we don’t want him to do that.”
Thibodeau and the players declined to dwell on Young’s antics, but the moment highlighted a recurring narrative: the Knicks’ struggle to maintain composure when faced with adversity.
Looking Ahead
This loss serves as a wake-up call for a Knicks team with lofty expectations. The East is crowded with contenders, and as Thibodeau noted, opponents are treating every matchup against New York as a statement game.
“Teams are coming for us,” Thibodeau said. “We’ve got to be ready for that.”
The Knicks must address their rebounding deficiencies and rediscover the energy that has made them a competitive force. With a grueling schedule ahead, this defeat underscores the importance of consistency and focus in their quest to stay near the top of the Eastern Conference.