It appeared just like the Knicks had been lastly within the clear. However they need to have discovered this lesson way back.
There isn’t any “within the clear” when Trae Younger looms.
Their longtime nemesis almost buried them as soon as once more. And this time, the Knicks virtually handed it proper to him.
After an absurd sequence that noticed the Knicks one way or the other blow a six-point lead in opposition to the Hawks with 18 seconds left, Younger nailed two free throws to tie the sport at 137 apiece with 2.2 seconds left — the primary time the Knicks weren’t forward because it was 8-8 early within the first quarter.
Jalen Brunson’s buzzer-beater try missed, and the sport went to extra time.
However Younger didn’t get the final chortle this time.
Regardless of scoring six extra factors in extra time, bringing him to 38 for the sport, the Knicks survived with a 149-148 win Wednesday evening at Madison Sq. Backyard to enter the All-Star break on a excessive — if additionally regarding — notice.
Brunson drilled a clutch jumper to provide the Knicks their one-point lead with 11.1 seconds left in extra time. It was sufficient — barely.
After Josh Hart hit two free throws to provide the Knicks a six-point lead with 18 seconds left within the fourth quarter, the Knicks gave up a fast 3-pointer to Georges Niang and Karl-Anthony Cities subsequently turned the ball over to Dyson Daniels on the inbounds.
Cities then fouled Daniels, who made his first free throw. However he missed his second free throw, grabbed his personal rebound and dished it to Younger, who was fouled by Hart with the Knicks over the restrict.
However Wednesday marked the second straight recreation — each on the Backyard — the Knicks have crushed Younger and the Hawks after he pretended to roll cube on their brand after Atlanta’s Dec. 11 win.
No cube roll this time. Only one huge scare.