Jalen Brunson walks fans through the final play of game three against the Atlanta Hawks.
The New York Knicks fell behind in their series against the Atlanta Hawks after losing game three, 109-108.
The Knicks started off game three strong, looking to respond after blowing a 12-point fourth quarter lead in game two, but couldn't maintain the effort and energy, relinquishing the lead in the middle of the first quarter.
The Hawks ran the lead up to 18 in the second quarter, but the Knicks battled back throughout the second, third, and into the fourth.
With 1:24 left, they tied the game on a Miles McBride three, and then took the lead after Jalen Brunson completed an and-one.
Jalen Johnson cut the lead to one on a putback layup, and then the Knicks missed two straight shots and had a shot clock violation after two offensive rebounds.
CJ McCollum gave the Hawks the lead with 13 seconds left.
Brunson and the Knicks had a chance to win it, but Brunson turned the ball over on the final possession after getting caught on the baseline.
Jalen Brunson Speaks
After the game, Brunson was asked what happened on the final play.
"I came off the screen and went to the backcourt to try and get some space. Josh (Hart) passes to KAT [Karl Anthony-Towns], KAT gives it back, he looks to come screen for me. Dyson (Daniels) falls. Shut the flare off to the open side of the court.
"Got the ball, started to drive on Onyeka Okungwo. Peak up at the clock, there is six or seven (seconds) on the clock. Try to get around him, saw a double. Was looking for a corner outlet and kind of saw Josh cutting. I knew I was behind the basket and needed to do something to give us a chance. Ended up turning the ball over."
The ball ended up in the backcourt as no Knick was able to their hands on it. Jonathan Kuminga retrived the ball for the Hawks as time expired.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown said after the game that the Knicks got what they wanted with Brunson going right.
Asked about Mike's comments, Brunson replied, "I've made a lot of plays going right. Clearly, I didn't make one this time."
Crunch Time Woes
For the second straight game, the Knicks failed to execute down the stretch, costing them both games.
In game two, with the game tied under a minute remaining, Brunson missed a shot to take the lead and got his shot blocked to tie the game. The Knicks still had a chance to win it after two missed free throws by McCollum, but Mikal Bridges missed the potential game winner.
Game three was more crunch time woes with a failure to get a stop, two misses and a shot clock violation on the same possession, and the end of game turnover.
If the Knicks hope to come back in this series, they need to maintain a lead or figure out a way to succeed in the final three minutes.