Josh Hart pointed to missed opportunities and early offensive struggles after the New York Knicks fell 109-108 to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at State Farm Arena.
Hart acknowledged the slow start that put New York in a difficult position. “Offensively, the team struggled early on,” he said, noting that the group only “picked it up a little bit more” as the game progressed.
The Knicks were forced into a comeback effort after Atlanta built an 18-point first-half lead behind strong perimeter shooting and transition execution.
Hart pointed to execution and shot-making as the difference in the opening stages. “I thought we had good shots and we didn’t make them,” he said, stressing that early efficiency dictated the game’s rhythm.
New York eventually rallied late, briefly taking control in the final minute before CJ McCollum’s game-winning jumper with 12.5 seconds remaining flipped the outcome back to Atlanta.
Hart described the Knicks’ offensive flow as tied closely to defensive stops. “I feel like we were getting stops, getting some good shots,” he said. “But I feel like we really played off our defense.”
He also credited the Hawks for their early separation, particularly their shooting in the first quarter. “The biggest thing was that allowed them to create some separation early on in the game,” Hart said.
New York’s perimeter defense tightened in stretches, but McCollum’s shot creation and Atlanta’s bench production kept pressure on the Knicks throughout.
Hart also emphasized individual defensive responsibility, particularly in the second half. “In the second half, I just tried to make it tough for him, make him take tough shots,” he said.
Despite the loss, Hart shifted focus quickly to the turnaround ahead in the series. The Knicks now face Game 4 in Atlanta on Saturday with a 2-1 series deficit.
“There is no room to feel sorry for ourselves,” Hart said, referencing the team message after the game. “We got another one on Saturday at 6:00, so it’s a quick turnaround.”
He added that recovery and mental reset will be essential before the next matchup. “We got to make sure we regroup and go out focused again,” Hart said.
The Knicks remain within striking distance in the series, but execution in early possessions and late-game control continue to shape the outcome against a Hawks team that has consistently capitalized in closing minutes.