Overview
- Following Thursday's blowout in Atlanta, New York closed the first round 4-2 with a 140-89 win and an NBA-record 47-point halftime lead.
- OG Anunoby led with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 5 steals, while Mikal Bridges scored 24, Jalen Brunson had 18 points and 11 assists, and Karl-Anthony Towns added a double-double.
- The series turned after the Knicks leaned into a defensive matchup shift, with Josh Hart taking the CJ McCollum assignment in what Post reporting credits with stalling Atlanta’s top scorer.
- Atlanta unraveled under pressure, committing 14 first-half turnovers as McCollum shot 4-for-13 and Jonathan Kuminga finished a staggering minus-44 in limited minutes.
- New York hosts Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Monday at Madison Square Garden against the winner of Boston vs. Philadelphia.