Dyson's Hawks take series lead over Knicks

• 'I’d do it forever if I could': Joe Ingles shows he's still got game‍
• Alex Condon bets on himself with Florida return
• No Garden Party for Dyson Daniels' Hawks in Game 1‍
• ‍Every Australian player in the 2026 Transfer Portal

Aussie star Dyson Daniels was on triple-double watch as the Atlanta Hawks won another nail-biter, beating the New York Knicks 109-108 at State Farm Arena to take a 2-1 series lead in the first round of the NBA Playoffs in the Eastern Conference.

Daniels played 33 minutes and had eight points, 13 rebounds and six assists and was a +4 in his time on the court as the Hawks built on their game two victory at Madison Square Garden.

CJ McCollum was again the hero for Atlanta, hitting a late jump shot to hand the Hawks the lead before a late Knicks turnover sealed the result for the home side.

Daniels had five turnovers but still made a significant impact for the Hawks despite coach Quin Snyder choosing to go with a different line-up down the stretch.

NBA BOX SCORE: Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks

Jalen Johnson delivered a stellar all-around performance as the Atlanta Hawks edged the New York Knicks 109-108 in a thrilling Game Three encounter, taking a 2-1 series lead in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff battle.

Game Snapshot

• Quarter scores: New York 21-29-30-28, Atlanta 33-25-30-21 • Lead changes throughout the contest • Atlanta's early surge countered by New York's third-quarter dominance

The Hawks controlled proceedings early before the Knicks mounted a sustained comeback, setting up a tense finish that saw Atlanta hold on for the crucial one-point victory.

Johnson's dominant display leads Hawks charge

Johnson was exceptional across the board, finishing with 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists from 8-of-19 shooting. His ability to impact multiple facets of the game proved decisive as Atlanta secured the narrow win.

The versatile forward consistently found open teammates while contributing efficiently on the glass, helping the Hawks maintain their composure during several momentum swings throughout the contest.

Anunoby keeps Knicks within striking distance

OG Anunoby led New York's scoring with an outstanding 29 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including an efficient 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. His nine rebounds and defensive presence kept the Knicks competitive despite trailing for extended periods.

Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points and a game-high 17 rebounds, dominating the paint while shooting 7-of-12 from the field. Towns' interior presence provided a reliable scoring option as New York searched for answers.

Hawks' bench production proves crucial

Jonathan Kuminga sparked Atlanta's offense with 21 points from the bench, shooting an outstanding 9-of-14 from the field. His efficient scoring burst helped the Hawks maintain their advantage during critical stretches.

CJ McCollum contributed 23 points despite a challenging shooting night, while Dyson Daniels delivered an impressive 13 rebounds and six assists alongside his eight points. The Hawks' depth proved vital in securing the narrow victory.

Third-quarter surge gives Knicks hope

New York outscored Atlanta 30-21 in the third period, with Jalen Brunson leading the charge despite struggling from three-point range. Brunson finished with 26 points on 11-from-23 shooting, though his 0-from-5 performance from downtown highlighted the Knicks' perimeter struggles.

Miles McBride provided a spark off the bench with 15 points, including a solid 5-from-10 effort from three-point territory. His long-range shooting helped keep New York within reach during the final stages.

Hawks' shooting edge proves decisive

Atlanta shot 45% from the field compared to New York's 43%, while significantly outperforming the Knicks from three-point range at 39% versus 29%. The Hawks' superior perimeter shooting created enough separation to withstand New York's fourth-quarter push.

Both teams struggled with turnovers, committing 16 and 15 respectively, but Atlanta's more efficient offence ultimately made the difference in the one-point result.

By the Numbers

Jalen Johnson (ATL): 24 pts │ 10 reb │ 8 ast │ 8-from-19 FG
OG Anunoby (NY): 29 pts │ 9 reb │ 9-from-16 FG │ 4-from-8 3PT
Karl-Anthony Towns (NY): 21 pts │ 17 reb │ 7-from-12 FG
Jonathan Kuminga (ATL): 21 pts │ 9-from-14 FG
CJ McCollum (ATL): 23 pts │ 8-from-19 FG
Jalen Brunson (NY): 26 pts │ 11-from-23 FG