The Atlanta Hawks pulled off a hard-fought 108-100 victory over the New York Knicks to secure a place in the NBA Cup semifinals. Despite a slow start, the Hawks rallied in the second half to overcome a 12-point deficit, led by a standout performance from Trae Young. Young finished with 22 points and 11 assists, playing a pivotal role in shifting the momentum in Atlanta’s favor. De'Andre Hunter and Jalen Johnson were also instrumental, contributing 24 and 21 points, respectively. Johnson, in addition to his scoring, grabbed 15 rebounds and dished out seven assists, helping the Hawks secure their first-ever semifinal spot.
The Knicks, led by Josh Hart’s 21 points and Karl-Anthony Towns’ 19 points and 19 rebounds, had a strong start and were ahead by 12 points early in the game. However, their shooting woes, particularly from beyond the arc, would prove costly. New York made just 11 of 42 three-point attempts, a significant factor in their downfall. Jalen Brunson, who had been crucial to the Knicks’ success this season, struggled throughout, finishing with just 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting. The Knicks’ bench also failed to provide the necessary support, contributing only 14 points in total.
After a competitive first half, the game shifted in the third quarter, where the Hawks outscored the Knicks 34-18. A key stretch came when Trae Young scored eight consecutive points, igniting the Hawks' run and helping them seize control of the game. Despite a valiant effort from New York, they couldn't maintain their lead as Atlanta’s balanced scoring and defensive adjustments proved too much. With the win, the Hawks will now face the Milwaukee Bucks in the semifinals, looking to continue their strong run.
On the other side of the bracket, the Houston Rockets also secured a dramatic victory, narrowly defeating the Golden State Warriors 91-90 in a tense quarterfinal matchup. The win was sealed by Jalen Green, who made two clutch free throws with just over three seconds left on the clock. This victory marked the end of a long losing streak for the Rockets against the Warriors, dating back to February 2020. The Rockets had to fight hard to secure the win after Golden State had built a significant lead earlier in the game.
Alperen Sengun was the standout performer for Houston, contributing an impressive 26 points and 11 rebounds. Jabari Smith Jr. added 15 points, providing crucial scoring support. The Rockets found themselves trailing late in the game, but key contributions from Fred VanVleet, including a crucial three-pointer, and Sengun’s layup, helped Houston pull within one point. With just seconds remaining, Green was fouled by Jonathan Kuminga, and he calmly sank two free throws to put the Rockets ahead for good.
The Warriors had their chances, with Stephen Curry attempting a potential game-winning three-pointer in the final moments. However, Curry’s shot fell short, and Gary Payton II's rebound attempt was mishandled and turned over to Green, setting up the decisive free throws. Despite strong performances from Curry and Klay Thompson, the Warriors couldn’t capitalize on their chances, with their shooting struggles at the free-throw line and from the field ultimately costing them.
Houston's win ended a long drought against Golden State, and now they’ll look to carry this momentum into the semifinals, where they will face Oklahoma City, who also secured their spot after defeating Dallas. The Rockets’ victory was a testament to their resilience and ability to stay composed under pressure, with Green's clutch plays providing the final seal on a thrilling contest.
Both the Hawks and Rockets now move forward in the NBA Cup semifinals, each with their sights set on a chance to win the competition. The next round promises even more excitement, with the Hawks facing the powerful Milwaukee Bucks and the Rockets going up against Oklahoma City, making for two intriguing matchups as the tournament intensifies.
