Jalen Brunson took responsibility for the Knicks’ collapse after holding a 12-point lead into the fourth quarter and losing 107-106 to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series at Madison Square Garden on April 21, 2026.
The loss tied the series at 1-1 and ended New York’s remarkable 39-0 record when leading by at least 12 points entering the final period this season. Brunson scored 29 points and dished out seven assists but shot just 10-of-26 from the field, acknowledging afterward that his decision-making deteriorated under defensive pressure from Hawks guards Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Corey Kispert and Gabe Vincent.
“We were a little stagnant,” Brunson said. “Obviously, I control what I can control. Poor decision-making on my part.” He added that the Knicks had now wasted fourth-quarter leads twice in the series, a troubling trend for a team built on late-game execution.
With the Knicks down one and 8.5 seconds left, Brunson hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 107-106. CJ McCollum then missed two free throws for Atlanta, setting up a final chance for New York. Mikal Bridges received the inbound pass and launched a potential game-winner from near the sideline, but the shot hit the side of the rim and bounced out, sealing the Hawks’ comeback.
The New York Post pointed out that Bridges had been a passive offensive presence all series, taking just 18 shots in the first two playoff games combined. His missed attempt, although painful, was not the root cause — the problem was that the Knicks ever allowed the game to come down to a desperation heave from a player not trusted to create offense in clutch moments.
Atlanta’s victory was built on relentless pressure on Brunson. McCollum led the Hawks with 32 points, including the go-ahead basket with 34 seconds remaining. Earlier in the fourth quarter, Jonathan Kuminga attacked Brunson in transition for a layup, and McCollum repeatedly used ball screens and crossovers to exploit the matchup, drawing help from Bridges and finding Alexander-Walker for open threes.
The Hawks adjusted their strategy after letting Brunson operate freely in Game 1. By targeting him aggressively in Game 2, they disrupted New York’s offensive rhythm and forced the Knicks into uncomfortable defensive rotations. Brunson, who had been the primary defender on McCollum, struggled to contain him despite the Knicks’ attempts to switch assignments.
Defensive lapses extended beyond one-on-one matchups. The Knicks’ pick-and-roll coverage broke down repeatedly, allowing Atlanta to penetrate and kick out for open shots. New York had entered the game as the league’s best fourth-quarter team, but the Hawks erased a 12-point deficit using a combination of transition offense, precise ball movement and timely defensive stops, including a key block from Kuminga.
Josh Hart contributed 15 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 18 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Towns was relatively quiet in the fourth quarter, a fact he later addressed in explaining his reduced involvement down the stretch.
The loss leaves the Knicks facing a critical adjustment period before Game 3 at State Farm Arena on Thursday. They must decide whether to stick with their current defensive schemes or make changes to prevent Atlanta from repeating its success in isolating Brunson and breaking down pick-and-roll coverage.
Why did the Knicks lose despite holding a 12-point fourth-quarter lead?
The Knicks lost because the Hawks attacked Jalen Brunson relentlessly in transition and pick-and-roll situations, forcing defensive breakdowns that led to open three-point shots and transition baskets. New York’s usually reliable fourth-quarter offense stalled, and the team failed to execute down the stretch, allowing Atlanta to erase the lead with precise ball movement and timely scoring from CJ McCollum and Jonathan Kuminga.
Was Mikal Bridges to blame for the final missed shot?
No — while Bridges missed the potential game-winner, sources agree the shot should never have been necessary. He had taken only 18 shots in the first two playoff games and was not a trusted offensive option in clutch moments. The real failure was allowing the game to reach that point due to fourth-quarter stagnation and defensive lapses.
