Hawks fizzle in Game 5, fall behind 3-2 to Knicks

The Locked On Hawks podcast breaks down the Hawks' 126-97 blowout loss to the New York Knicks in Game 5 of their playoff series, marking a pivotal moment where Atlanta fell behind 3-2. Host Brad Rowland, broadcasting live from a Manhattan hotel near MSG, delivers a candid and critical analysis of the game, emphasizing that the Hawks were outplayed on both ends of the floor. Despite being underdogs, the 29-point margin was misleading—the Hawks were down by double digits for the final three quarters and failed to match the Knicks' intensity, especially in transition and defensive rebounding. The podcast highlights a two-sided collapse: poor shooting (13-of-42 from three, 31%) and a disastrous 134 defensive rating, with 40 points allowed in the paint in the first half. Key issues include lack of ball movement, over-reliance on isolation plays, and questionable rotations, including extended minutes for underperforming players like Corey Kispert and Tony Bradley. Dyson Jones stood out as the best player, while Jalen Johnson struggled defensively and Trae Young had a rough night. Rowland stresses that while the series isn't over, Game 6 on Thursday is a must-win for Atlanta, requiring a complete turnaround in effort, pace, and execution.