A tense playoff mood turned personal early in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden. Mitchell Robinson and Dyson Daniels got into it after Robinson stepped over Daniels, and the exchange quickly became one of the most combustible moments of the opening quarter. The Knicks had the early edge, but Atlanta was making New York work for every possession.
Mitchell Robinson Gets Into Heated Clash With Dyson Daniels
Robinson was hit with a technical foul in the aftermath of the sequence, after the walk-over moment sparked an immediate reaction from Daniels.
A clip shared online showed Daniels unhappy that Robinson went over him, and the back-and-forth turned a routine playoff scrum into a full-blown flashpoint.
Robinson was given a technical foul for unsportsmanlike conduct after walking over Daniels.
Jalen Brunson stepped in to calm Robinson down before things escalated further. Even then, the moment did not fully settle, because one report from the scene noted Robinson also made contact with a referee, adding another layer of concern to an already heated exchange.
Problem is Robinson kinda pushed a ref.
Not sure how they’re gonna rule on that.
Knicks Keep the Pressure On
On the scoreboard, New York had the stronger start and led 32-23 after the first quarter, while the game itself stayed close in feel and highly physical. Both teams trading early blows, with Dyson Daniels active in the first quarter and the Knicks still trying to turn their fast start into control of the game.
Knicks Hold Edge at Half as Hawks Eye Second-Half Comeback
The second half between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks is shaping up to be a tightly contested battle after the Knicks carried a 61-54 lead into halftime. New York’s efficiency stood out early, shooting 49% from the field compared to Atlanta’s 46%, while also controlling the tempo with better ball movement and fewer mistakes.
For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson looked composed as a floor general, contributing across scoring and playmaking, while Mikal Bridges added a steady scoring presence. Karl-Anthony Towns had a quieter first half, but the expectation is that he becomes more aggressive in the second half, especially in exploiting mismatches inside. The Knicks’ bench, led by Mitchell Robinson, also provided key minutes, particularly on the defensive end.
Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu showed flashes, but Atlanta must improve shot selection and reduce turnovers to close the gap.
The third quarter will be crucial; if New York extends the lead, it can control the pace. But if Atlanta finds rhythm from beyond the arc, this game could quickly swing into a clutch fourth-quarter finish.
WATCH: Knicks Mitchell Robinson Gets Into Heated Clash With Dyson Daniels, Ref Pushed