Mikal Bridges speaks on his missed game-winner attempts in game two against the Atlanta Hawks.
The New York Knicks looked well on their way to taking a 2-0 lead against the Atlanta Hawks, but couldn't quite close the deal.
Leading by 12 entering the fourth quarter and playing connected basketball on both ends, the Knicks carried over their game one performance with another strong showing at Madison Square Garden.
Then, Atlanta got hot
Up 100-92 with 5:26 left, the Hawks went on an 11-0 run to take a 103-100 lead. During the run, Jonathan Kuminga and Jalen Johnson converted on layups while Nickeil Alexander-Walker knocked down a three.
CJ McCollum gave the Hawks the lead with a layup, and added to it with a floater.
Knicks Battle Back
In the final minute, McCollum and Jalen Brunson would trade shots, with McCollum getting the better of the exchanges.
Brunson hit a three to tie the game, and McCollum turned the ball over. Brunson couldn't convert on his look with 45 seconds remaining, and McCollum hit a tough jumper with 34 seconds remaining. Brunson's next shot was blocked, leading to a Johnson dunk, but Brunson hit a three to cut the lead to 107-106 with nine seconds remaining.
The Knicks put McCollum on the line, and he opened the door for New York by missing both free throws.
The Final Shot
After McCollum missed both free throws, Josh Hart secured the rebound and pushed the ball up to Mikal Bridges.
Bridges started to drive baseline before stepping back to take a jumper from about 12 feet out. He left the shot short and the Hawks managed to survive.
Asked after the game how he felt about the shot he got, he replied, "Yeah, I just missed it. Nothing wrong with it, just gotta make it next time."
He was then asked about potentially going to the hoop, he replied, "Trying to get to the spot. With the time going down, just try to get a nice rhythm shot."
He confirmed that he liked the shot he got.
Bridges was having a rough shooting night prior to his game-winning attempt, going 3-9 from the field and 0-2 in the fourth quarter before his final miss. The game-winning attempt was his first shot since 7:09 remaining in the fourth when he missed back-to-back three point attempts.
Next Up
The Knicks will look to respond and bounce back in game three, which tips off at 7 PM ET on Thursday in Atlanta.