Jalen Brunson scores 17 in fourth, Knicks’ win potential playoff preview vs. Hawks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is your Most Improved Player of the Year, the Atlanta Hawks have no answer for any of the Knicks ‘ centers, and Jalen Brunson’s clutch gene has activated just in time for New York’s playoff push. And yet the Knicks nearly needed an extra period to put away the pesky Hawks, 108-105, at State Farm Arena on Monday. Brunson scored 17 fourth-quarter points, made a go-ahead shot to put the Knicks up, 104-102, with under a minute left in regulation, then made a pair of free throws to put the Knicks up three with just seconds left on the clock.
With no timeouts, Hawks guard C. J. McCollum took the ball from baseline to halfcourt and banked in a prayer at the buzzer.
The closest official called off the play, and after replay review, the ball was still in McCollum’s hands as the final buzzer sounded. “Happy with the way we finished the game,” said Brunson, who finished with a game-high 30 points and 13 assists against the Hawks on Monday. “They came to fight and put us on our heels, but we found a way to come back every time with an answer and find a way to win.
” Brunson shot one-of-five from the field in the first quarter, one-of-three in the second and was 5-of-16 entering the final period. He then authored a 17-point fourth quarter and shot 6-of-10 from the field in the final frame. “Just found a way to keep my confidence,” he said.
“Obviously, things aren’t going to be perfect all the time but you trust your work and find a way. ” Alexander-Walker, the favorite for the NBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year award, had his crowning ceremony in a 36-point performance against the Knicks at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena on Monday. But Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson exploited a clear size advantage against a Hawks team without a legitimate seven-footer in its rotation.