Hawks Rally for Semifinal Slot
NEW YORK (AP) – The Atlanta Hawks put on a stellar performance on Wednesday night, defeating the New York Knicks 108-100, thereby securing a place in the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas.
Led by Trae Young’s 22 points and 11 assists, the Hawks surged back after trailing at halftime. De’Andre Hunter contributed significantly with 24 points, while Jalen Johnson tallied 21 points along with 15 rebounds and 7 assists. The Hawks have emerged as a surprising contender in the tournament, previously defeating both the defending champion Boston Celtics and the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers.
The upcoming semifinal will pit the Hawks against the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.
Knicks’ Early Domination Falls Short
For the Knicks, Josh Hart led the scoring with 21 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a double-double with 19 points and 19 rebounds. New York appeared to have a strong start, establishing a 12-point lead earlier in the game.
However, a shift in momentum occurred as the game progressed. Young sparked an 11-0 run with two timely three-pointers, shifting the tide in favor of Atlanta. The Hawks outscored the Knicks 61-46 in the second half, a crucial turnaround that sealed their victory.
What’s Next?
While the Hawks prepare for their semifinal clash, the Knicks will regroup ahead of their next game in Orlando on Sunday.
As the NBA Cup heats up, the Hawks have proven their ability to compete against top-tier teams, and fans will be keenly watching their journey in Las Vegas.
