ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks have each held serve at home, splitting two games apiece between Madison Square Garden and State Farm Arena. With the series now tied 2-2, it shifts back to New York for a pivotal Game 5.
The intensity has steadily ramped up, and the Knicks showed clear urgency in Game 4, determined to avoid heading home facing a 3-1 deficit. The Hawks know they’ll need to match — and exceed — that energy.
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“We’ve always been desperate. We’re not where we want to be at, but we’ve got to be more desperate than them going there, for sure,” Hawks forward Mohamed Gueye said.
Game 5s often define a series. Teams that take a 3-2 lead in a best-of-seven matchup go on to win the series 84% of the time.
Hawks head coach Quin Snyder emphasized the importance of resilience, especially on the road.
“Throughout the game — and particularly at the beginning, especially on the road — you need to be resilient,” Snyder said. “If you take a couple punches, or even if you get knocked down, you get back up.”
Forward Jalen Johnson said the team is ready for the challenge.
“We just gotta bring it from the jump,” he said. “It’s us against them so we’re in the right mentality heading in there so I’m excited to go out there and play.”
Physicality became a theme in Game 4. The Knicks brand of defense stifled the Hawks early, leading to large halftime lead that Atlanta never recovered from.
“I think it’s just the playoffs, you got to embrace it, because the refs are going to let you play,” Gueye said. “Find a way to get them off you, go get the ball.”
Johnson was among those most affected, as New York leaned on OG Anunoby’s defense to disrupt Atlanta’s rhythm. Johnson finished with 14 points on 4-of-12 shooting and will need a stronger response in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden.
“The physicality is much more intense. (Referees) let a lot more stuff go, there’s not as many whistles blown so just continue to play through that. Continue to fight physicality with physicality,” Johnson said.
Game 5 is set for Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m.
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