Hall of Famer Magic Johnson believes former Golden State Warriors star Jonathan Kuminga has played a key role in helping the Atlanta Hawks seize a 2-1 series lead over the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs.
Kuminga, who dropped 21 points off the bench in Atlanta’s 109-108 win in Thursday’s Game 3, received a positive endorsement from Johnson after the game.
“A big reason why the Atlanta Hawks now lead the Series 2-1 is because Jonathan Kuminga had a strong game coming off the bench with 21 points,” Johnson wrote on X, while also praising CJ McCollum and Jalen Johnson for combining for 47 points.
Johnson also called Atlanta’s nail-biting 109-108 win in Game 3 “one of the most entertaining” games of this year’s young postseason.
Hawks Down Knicks to Take 2-1 Lead
The Hawks seemed in control for most of Game 3 until a late run by the Knicks — who outscored the home team 28-21 in the fourth quarter — made the game interesting.
CJ McCollum, the hero of Atlanta’s Game 2 win at MSG, once again hit key buckets down the stretch, including a go-ahead 15-foot fadeaway jumper with 12.7 seconds left.
“I’m comfortable with failure. I’m comfortable with success,” McCollum said after his game-winner, via Associated Press. “I’ve played a long time. I really cherish the game.”
“CJ hit a great shot,” Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said. “We have a ton of confidence in him being able to make those plays.”
Kuminga feels his new team is starting to come together at the right time.
“We all came together and knew we needed just one stop,” said Kuminga, who joined the Hawks as part of a midseason trade. “You’ve got to sacrifice out there and make a play.”
“It takes time to create that bond with the guys,” added Kuminga. “I’m learning from the coach and some of those things carried up to this moment.”
Knicks in Big Trouble?
In the lead-up to the series, many expected the Hawks to pose problems for the Knicks, given how their tall, athletic wings match up with New York’s perimeter scorers. Those concerns have come true thus far, as detailed by ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill.
“The Atlanta Hawks are doing everything they can to make life uncomfortable for the New York Knicks, and they are succeeding. From the onset, they grabbed early leads and had the Knicks fighting from behind all night,” Goodwill wrote after Game 3.
“The Knicks were only surviving, first with Jalen Brunson, then OG Anunoby. But it was Atlanta that was the desperate team, especially Jonathan Kuminga, who was opportunistic on offense and repeatedly getting out in the open floor.
“He and the Hawks sensed an opportunity and seized it. Now the Knicks are at a place they don’t like being: on the ropes.”
The Knicks now face a must-win situation in Game 4 on Saturday. They have never bounced back from a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA playoffs and are currently 0-15 in franchise history when facing such a deficit.
Magic Johnson Credits Ex-Warriors Star for Knicks Game 3 Loss to Hawks