Overview
- The Knicks lost 107–106 to the Hawks in Game 2 after blowing a 12-point fourth-quarter lead, leaving the first-round series tied 1–1.
- Public scrutiny intensified when former Knick Iman Shumpert said on the Run It Back podcast that Mike Brown could be out if New York bows out early.
- Brown accepted blame for the late-game offense, saying he did not mix up play calls and noting the Knicks surrendered 42 second-half paint points, which he called their worst of the year.
- Jalen Brunson pushed back on blaming a specific bench lineup for the swing, pointing instead to turnovers and missed opportunities during that stretch.
- New York now shifts to Atlanta for Game 3 with contender expectations after a 53–29 season and bold moves like adding Mikal Bridges.