The Knicks weren’t prepared for the grownup journey.
Tom Thibodeau’s hot-and-cold squad went frozen in a 108-100 loss to the Hawks and was eradicated from the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
So as an alternative of heading to Sin City for the semis, the Knicks subsequent journey to Mickey Mouse territory, Orlando, to face the Magic on Sunday.
They deserve the kiddie rides after Wednesday’s dud at MSG.
The Knicks (15-10) had been out-rebounded, out-hustled and perpetually extra obsessive about the referees than their very own struggles.
The Hawks (14-12), who subsequent face the Bucks within the NBA Cup semis in Vegas, pounced within the second half as Trae Young once more gained an essential evening at MSG.
Jalen Brunson managed simply 14 factors on 5-for-15 capturing and was locked up by Dyson Daniels, a budding All-Defense candidate who hounded and reduce off New York’s level guard at each pivot.
The Knicks shot simply 26 % on treys, 60 % on foul photographs and allowed 22 offensive rebounds, as exemplified by a five-shot Atlanta possession within the fourth quarter.
Young completed with 22 factors and 11 assists.
The longtime enemy at MSG briefly was the goal Wednesday of profane chants, the acquainted, “F— Trae Young.”
But ultimately — as the ultimate buzzer sounded — the gang booed the Knicks, not Young.
The defeat value every Knicks participant over $50,000 in prize cash they might’ve acquired for reaching the semifinal, which might’ve been added to the $50,000 they acquired as quarterfinalists.
The Hawks shot poorly within the first half however the Knicks might by no means create sufficient separation to really feel snug.
Atlanta chipped away till taking its first lead of the competition on Young’s trey halfway by the third quarter.
The remainder of the half was a Knicks misadventure and a Young triumph at MSG.
The earlier time Young confronted the Knicks in an elimination recreation, almost 5 years in the past, he buried the house workforce and completed the night with a Broadway Bow.
But the Knicks had been heavy favorites in Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarters and clearly felt snug going through the Hawks.
New York had a chance to chase the East’s prime seed of the NBA Cup — which might’ve meant a showdown in opposition to the Celtics within the quarterfinals as an alternative — however eased up down the stretch of the ultimate group stage recreation to take care of the purpose differential for a Hawks matchup.
In the Magic recreation, the Knicks had been up by 31 with six minutes remaining and gained by solely 15.
A victory by 37 or extra would’ve meant a quarterfinals in opposition to the Celtics.
While Tom Thibodeau performed it coy, Josh Hart mainly acknowledged the Knicks had been conscious of the implications as their lead dissolved.
It was a wise transfer for a lot of causes, together with that the NBA Cup doubles as regular-season video games. Who would need an additional recreation in opposition to Boston on the schedule?
But it didn’t assist the Knicks, who can cancel their Vegas plans.
