They say a playoff series does not start until a road team wins, and unfortunately for the Knicks, it was began. After two games, we are all tied at one a piece. After the Knicks controlled the Hawks for about 92 minutes of these first two contests, they find themselves soul-searching heading into game three in Atlanta.

Game 1 was electric from the jump. Jalen Brunson came out blazing with 19 points on 8 for 11 shooting from the field in the first quarter to set the tone.

However, he finished the rest of the game shooting 1 for 11. Seemingly bothered by the reigning Most Improved Player and First All-Defensive Team member, Dyson Daniels.

The game was tightly contested going into the half. However, it was the Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns that came out strong while Brunson was struggling.

KAT had 19 points in the second half and played his behind off on defense were he added in three blocks and one steal for the game.

The Knicks eventually ballooned the lead to 19 points late in the fourth quarter, but the Hawks wouldn’t go away. They cut it to as close as 8 points with 40 seconds left. The Knicks would hold on to the lead and take game one, 113-102.

CJ McCollum was a huge problem for the Knicks in this game. The way the Hawks are constructed, it has left the Knicks with a matchup issue.

Mikal Bridges on Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who torched us in the regular season. KAT on Daniels due to his extreme lack of offense. Josh Hart on their All Star Jalen Johnson, who Josh has done a speculator job on.

That leaves OG to guard Onyeka Okongwu, their small ball stretch center AND… Jalen Brunson, perhaps our worst defender, to guard the veteran certified bucket: CJ McCollum.

Thank goodness we won, but you would hope the Knicks will find an answer for that issue.

SPOILER ALERT: They did not.

This game was a good old fashioned choke job, and quite frankly, I am still disgusted. It is clear to me the Knicks have not learned anything from their last three playoff experiences.

Whether it be the dropping game two to Cleveland in 2023, dropping game two to Detroit in 2025, or even needing a miracle from Donte DiVincenzo in game two against Philadelphia in 2024. It appears they have not put us through enough misery.

Well the Italian-American hero, Donte DiVincenzo, is not coming to save you this time.

The Knicks, similar to game one, came out strong, but could not seem to shake the Hawks. It was like every time the Hawks needed a bucket to keep the Knicks within striking distance there was CJ McCollum once again, or Jonathan Kuminga, who has joined the party.

CJ McCollum continued to torch the Knicks in game two and even became the newest edition of a Madison Square Garden villain to us Knicks fans when he began to react with the crowd.

The first half was closely contested once again. The Knicks used Karl-Anthony Towns as a hub on the top of the key to distribute and be a release valve for the offense.

However, this time around Jalen Brunson did not have it going early and it was Mitchell Robinson (11 points), Mikal Bridges (10 points), and Josh Hart (10 points), who gave the Knicks their necessary contributions.

The Knicks had a great third quarter, similar to game one, behind KAT’s 14 points and 6 rebounds in that quarter alone. Before they ended the quarter, they found themselves up as much as 14 points and eventually taking a 12 point lead into the fourth quarter.

Now, the fourth quarter. A collapse. A debacle. A walk down. A meltdown. A stumble. A freefall. A CHOKE JOB.

I wish I could say “We have not seen this before.” BUT, I would be lying. The Knicks were up multiple possessions until four minutes and 12 seconds to go. You blinked and they down three with one minute and 33 seconds left.

Between the defensive breakdowns and Jalen Brunson, who has been our New York hero, hijacking the offense, this one smelt bad.

CJ McCollum was leaning into the MSG Villain to perfection with big shot after big shot until he had a little choke job of his own. Where he clanked two free throws leaving the door open with about five seconds left with the Knicks down one.

There was some confusion whether the Knicks had a timeout or not by the broadcast, but they indeed did not have a timeout. Josh Hart got the rebound and went. He found a leaking out Mikal, who took his patented midrange fadeaway…

Clank. Ball game.

I expect the Hawks to play better at home, but ironically with this Knicks team I also expect them to play better away.

I hope (not so much expect) Mike Brown to make adjustments such as giving us Jose Alvarado and Mohamed Diawara minutes over Miles McBride and Landry Shamet minutes because they both have been terrible in these first two games.

As well as switching some defensive assignments around and hiding Jalen Brunson on Dyson Daniels due to the Hawks clearly exploiting that Jalen/CJ matchup.

What is it going to be Mike? We will see.

Game 1 Knicks Top Performers Recap:

-Jalen Brunson: 28 points 7 assists 5 rebounds 1 steal

-Josh Hart: 11 points 14 rebounds 5 assists 3 steals

-Karl-Anthony Towns: 25 points 8 rebounds 4 assists 3 blocks 1 steal

-OG Anunoby: 18 points 8 rebounds 2 three-pointers 1 steal

Game 2 Knicks Top Performers Recap:

-No one. No one deserves any praise for this choke job.