Knicks Dominate Hawks in Game 5

ATLANTA — The admissions from the players were, well, quite telling.

There was no sidestepping the issue at hand. Dyson Daniels summed it up clearly.

“I think their mindset was to come out and bully us and try to get physical,” he remarked. “And they did.”

It’s rare for NBA players to acknowledge being bullied, as they often protect their sense of masculinity fiercely.

However, one thing is clear: the Knicks are putting the Hawks in their place.

In Tuesday’s 126-97 win in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks took an 18-point edge in points in the paint, giving them a 3-2 series lead as they head back to Atlanta. They also dominated the boards with 21 rebounds, gaining an 11-point advantage in second-chance points.

Coach Mike Brown emphasized the importance of boxing out. “We allowed only five offensive rebounds,” he noted, “even though they are among the best offensive rebounding teams. That’s monumental for us. O.G. [Anunoby] and [Karl-Anthony Towns] were phenomenal, combining for 22 defensive rebounds. Keeping them off the glass is crucial.”

Many anticipated the Knicks’ size would be a significant advantage, especially since Towns outmatches the Hawks’ bigs. It took some time, but the Knicks have now asserted themselves, dominating in the last two games.

After narrowly losing the previous two matches, the Knicks bounced back with convincing wins, mainly due to their physicality.

“We did a great job,” Towns noted, reflecting on the transition from Games 2 and 3 to Games 4 and 5. “We executed with our physicality.”

This allowed the Knicks to control the game flow, a stark contrast to the Hawks’ preferred style. The young, quick Hawks like to score in transition, yet in these last matches, they were limited. Just four fast-break points on Tuesday and seven in Game 4 illustrate this shift.

The Knicks’ defense has found a rhythm, successfully forcing the Hawks into an uncomfortable style of play.

Another factor has been the decision to swap Josh Hart for CJ McCollum. Hart’s considerable size and strength have made him a strong defender against Jalen Brunson, who previously had a hard time guarding McCollum. On Tuesday, McCollum managed a mere six points on 3-of-10 shooting, failing to make an impact.

“We couldn’t consistently establish how we needed to play to beat them because of their defense,” said Hawks coach Quin Snyder. “We have to be more committed. It’s about imposing our will, but we fell short.”

The Knicks have adapted by taking fewer three-pointers; they made just 26 attempts on Tuesday, significantly lower than their regular season average. Coach Brown stated he’s fine with this adjustment, especially when they’re finding success closer to the basket.

It’s not just the Knicks that are adjusting; other teams are finding success inside as well.

“We just have to stand firm,” said Onyeka Okongwu. “Brunson and KAT are doing their parts, but we can’t leave it all to them.”

“Overall, we have to get it done,” he added. “We can’t let their physicality dictate our game.”

Facing elimination, the Hawks expect the Knicks to maintain their aggressive, physical play.

“They’ll come out strong again, looking to dominate the boards and create extra possessions,” Jordan Clarkson acknowledged. “We know they’ll bring a lot of force, so we have to be prepared.”

As long as the Knicks stay focused and maintain their readiness, it seems they’ll wield a distinct physical advantage over the Hawks.