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With all expectations thrown out the window, the Atlanta Hawks took the commanding 2-1 NBA Playoffs series lead over the New York Knicks. While the 109-108 score might suggest otherwise, Coach Quin Snyder had this game under control immediately after the tip. Their main weapons against the Jalen Brunson-led squad? Jalen Johnson and Jonathan Kuminga who both had historic nights.
Johnson, Kuminga make NBA Playoffs and Hawks history vs. Knicks
Jalen Johnson notched 24 points by knocking down eight of his 19 attempts from the field and going 33% in his three-pointers. He ran Coach Quin Snyder's offense well and helped the other Hawks torture the Knicks defense by dropping eight assists. Defensively, he was a menace by grabbing 10 rebounds, stealing the ball twice, and getting a block. Johnson is the first player in Hawks history to have ever recorded those numbers in the NBA Playoffs.
Jonathan Kuminga, on the other hand, had an insane outburst despite coming off the Hawks bench. In the first quarter, he scored 10 points which is the most by a Hawks bench player in the NBA Playoffs since the play-by-play era started in 1997-1998, per ESPN Insights.
Kuminga finished the game with 21 points on an insane 64% field goal percentage while going 50% from three-point range. He also had four rebounds, a block, and a steal after Coach Snyder trusted him to play 28 minutes for the Hawks.
Going 2-1 against a heavily-favored Knicks squad is a crazy feat already. The Hawks still have another game at State Farm Arena before the NBA Playoffs series goes back to Knicks home court. Will Coach Snyder see Johnson and Kuminga pop off again or will it be another Hawks player who rises to the occasion?
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