Deadspin | San Francisco psyched for rematch vs. No. 11 Gonzaga at Warriors’ arena

Deadspin | San Francisco psyched for rematch vs. No. 11 Gonzaga at Warriors’ arena

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Jan 24, 2026; Spokane, Washington, USA; San Francisco Dons guard Ryan Beasley (0) runs the lane against Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Tyon Grant-Foster (7) in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga Bulldogs won 68-66. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images

Graham Ike is one of the top players in the West but Gonzaga coach Mark Few feels the big man isn’t receiving the proper level of respect.

Ike will look to post a 20-point outing for the eighth consecutive appearance when the No. 11 Bulldogs visit San Francisco on Wednesday night in West Coast Conference play. The contest will be held at the Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors.

Gonzaga will be looking to defeat the Dons for the 35th consecutive time after surviving a close call last month.

Ike registered 21 points and a season-best 15 rebounds as Gonzaga (25-2, 13-1 WCC) recorded a 94-86 road win over Santa Clara on Saturday night to overtake the Broncos for first place in the conference race.

Ike has scored 30 or more points in three of his last seven appearances, including matching his career best of 35 points in an 81-61 road win over Oregon State on Feb. 7. The fifth-year senior has made 31 of 43 shots (72.1%) over the past three games.

“I think none of us can take 21 and 15 for granted or the 30-(point games),” Few said. “I think it’s time he starts seeing his name pop up on first-team All-American or second-team All-American (forecasts).

“I know we’re all obsessed with these (standout) freshmen, but he’s literally been delivering night-in, night-out at the highest level. I think he needs to start garnering some attention, at least nationally.”

Ike is averaging 19.8 points and 8.7 rebounds. He missed the Bulldogs’ 68-66 home win over the Dons on Jan. 24, the final contest of a three-game absence caused by an ankle injury.

Adam Miller stood out against Santa Clara by scoring a season-high 21 points. Miller is averaging a career-low 7.7 points in the fifth season of a four-stop college career.

“We talked about how unselfish our team is,” Miller said. “Any day can be a dog’s day. Coach reminds us of that all the time, but every day you’ve got to show up and do your role, however that looks, and I just tried to do my job and my teammates definitely did their jobs.”

The Bulldogs have been without Braden Huff (left knee) for a month, and Few’s update on Monday revealed that Huff (17.8 ppg) won’t return prior to the NCAA Tournament.

“We said four to eight weeks, it’ll be at least eight,” Few said on his weekly show. “He’s still on crutches. … He’s a long ways away from getting back.”

San Francisco (15-13, 7-8) figures to gain some support by playing in the larger Chase Center as opposed to its cozy on-campus gymnasium.

Despite never leading, the Dons gave Gonzaga a battle last month in Spokane, Wash.

The Dons were down by eight before Vukasin Masic made consecutive 3-pointers in the final 1:20. However, a go-ahead 3-point attempt by Junjie Wang caromed off the backboard and rim with less than two seconds left.

USF’s Legend Smiley matched his season high of 18 points in that contest.

“We have an unbelievable opportunity on Wednesday night at the Chase Center against a team that obviously is a juggernaut,” Dons coach Chris Gerlufsen said of the rematch. “We felt we played pretty well against them the first time.

“We’re going to roll our sleeves up and get to work Wednesday night and take advantage of the opportunity at hand.”

The setback vs. Gonzaga was the beginning of a stretch in which the Don lost five of six games. They halted that funk with a 92-79 road win at San Diego on Sunday.

Masic scored a season-best 22 points against the Toreros while David Fuchs contributed 21 points and a season-best-tying 13 rebounds.

San Francisco’s most recent win over Gonzaga came in 2012, a 66-65 home decision.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Gavin Williams nabs 4th straight win as Guardians top Rays Apr 29, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams (32) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Gavin Williams tossed 7 2/3 stellar innings and Chase DeLauter drove in a pair of runs on Wednesday afternoon to help the Cleveland Guardians post a 3-1 victory over the visiting Tampa Rays. Williams (5-1) earned his fourth straight win, allowing one unearned run on five hits, striking out nine and walking none. Brayan Rocchio went 3-for-4 and Daniel Schneemann had two hits for Cleveland, which snapped a four-game losing streak. Cade Smith worked around Yandy Diaz’s leadoff single in the ninth to secure his seventh save in nine tries. Drew Rasmussen (2-1) threw five innings of three-run (two earned) ball, yielding six hits, while striking out six and walking one for Tampa Bay, which saw its six-game winning streak come to an end. Chandler Simpson and Diaz each had a pair of hits for the Rays, who struck out 12 times. After an 80-minute rain delay, Cleveland scored first in the bottom of the third. Following Rocchio’s leadoff single, DeLauter walked and Jose Ramirez reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases with one out. Kyle Manzardo then drove in the game’s first run with a sacrifice fly. Rocchio reached on an error to begin the fifth, before Steven Kwan’s double and DeLauter’s two-run single pushed the lead to 3-0. Diaz singled to lead off the seventh. Looking to begin a double play with Jake Fraley batting, Cleveland second baseman Travis Bazzana’s errant throw into left field allowed the only Rays run to score. Williams surrendered Simpson and Junior Caminero’s back-to-back two-out singles in the eighth and was replaced by reliever Erik Sabrowski, who struck out Jonathan Aranda to escape the jam. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Gavin #Williams #nabs #4th #straight #win #Guardians #top #RaysApr 29, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams (32) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Gavin Williams tossed 7 2/3 stellar innings and Chase DeLauter drove in a pair of runs on Wednesday afternoon to help the Cleveland Guardians post a 3-1 victory over the visiting Tampa Rays.

Williams (5-1) earned his fourth straight win, allowing one unearned run on five hits, striking out nine and walking none. Brayan Rocchio went 3-for-4 and Daniel Schneemann had two hits for Cleveland, which snapped a four-game losing streak.

Cade Smith worked around Yandy Diaz’s leadoff single in the ninth to secure his seventh save in nine tries.

Drew Rasmussen (2-1) threw five innings of three-run (two earned) ball, yielding six hits, while striking out six and walking one for Tampa Bay, which saw its six-game winning streak come to an end. Chandler Simpson and Diaz each had a pair of hits for the Rays, who struck out 12 times.


After an 80-minute rain delay, Cleveland scored first in the bottom of the third. Following Rocchio’s leadoff single, DeLauter walked and Jose Ramirez reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases with one out. Kyle Manzardo then drove in the game’s first run with a sacrifice fly.

Rocchio reached on an error to begin the fifth, before Steven Kwan’s double and DeLauter’s two-run single pushed the lead to 3-0.

Diaz singled to lead off the seventh. Looking to begin a double play with Jake Fraley batting, Cleveland second baseman Travis Bazzana’s errant throw into left field allowed the only Rays run to score.

Williams surrendered Simpson and Junior Caminero’s back-to-back two-out singles in the eighth and was replaced by reliever Erik Sabrowski, who struck out Jonathan Aranda to escape the jam.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Gavin #Williams #nabs #4th #straight #win #Guardians #top #Rays">Deadspin | Gavin Williams nabs 4th straight win as Guardians top Rays Apr 29, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams (32) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Gavin Williams tossed 7 2/3 stellar innings and Chase DeLauter drove in a pair of runs on Wednesday afternoon to help the Cleveland Guardians post a 3-1 victory over the visiting Tampa Rays. Williams (5-1) earned his fourth straight win, allowing one unearned run on five hits, striking out nine and walking none. Brayan Rocchio went 3-for-4 and Daniel Schneemann had two hits for Cleveland, which snapped a four-game losing streak. Cade Smith worked around Yandy Diaz’s leadoff single in the ninth to secure his seventh save in nine tries. Drew Rasmussen (2-1) threw five innings of three-run (two earned) ball, yielding six hits, while striking out six and walking one for Tampa Bay, which saw its six-game winning streak come to an end. Chandler Simpson and Diaz each had a pair of hits for the Rays, who struck out 12 times. After an 80-minute rain delay, Cleveland scored first in the bottom of the third. Following Rocchio’s leadoff single, DeLauter walked and Jose Ramirez reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases with one out. Kyle Manzardo then drove in the game’s first run with a sacrifice fly. Rocchio reached on an error to begin the fifth, before Steven Kwan’s double and DeLauter’s two-run single pushed the lead to 3-0. Diaz singled to lead off the seventh. Looking to begin a double play with Jake Fraley batting, Cleveland second baseman Travis Bazzana’s errant throw into left field allowed the only Rays run to score. Williams surrendered Simpson and Junior Caminero’s back-to-back two-out singles in the eighth and was replaced by reliever Erik Sabrowski, who struck out Jonathan Aranda to escape the jam. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Gavin #Williams #nabs #4th #straight #win #Guardians #top #Rays

Deadspin | Cole Young’s big hit helps Mariners rally past Twins Apr 29, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (3) turns a double play on a ball hit by Minnesota Twins left fielder Trevor Larnach (9) during the third inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Cole Young hit a two-run single in the ninth inning for the Seattle Mariners, who rallied for a 5-3 victory Wednesday over the Minnesota Twins and took two of three in the series at Minneapolis. The game-winning hit capped a 2-for-4, three RBI game for the Mariners second baseman. He has upped his batting average by 53 points (.233 to .286) by going 11-for-22 since last Friday. Seattle had just seven hits in the game but also took advantage of five walks while winning for the sixth time in seven games. Randy Arozarena started the ninth with a four-pitch walk from Eric Orze (0-1). An out later, Dominic Canzone singled to put runners on the corners. Leo Rivas pinch-ran for the designated hitter and stole second during Young’s at-bat. With the infield in, Young’s grounder got under a diving Luke Keaschall and rolled into the outfield to make it 4-3. Cal Raleigh’s deep sacrifice fly to center added an insurance run. Before Young’s heroics, it looked like Twins catcher Victor Caratini would play that role, as his pinch-hit single in the bottom of the eighth off Gabe Speier gave Minnesota a 3-2 lead. Instead, Minnesota lost for the seventh time in its last eight games. Cole Criswell (1-0) pitched just a third of an inning, but it was enough for the victory. He got Bryan Buxton to fly out with the bases loaded to end the Twins’ eighth. Andres Munoz struck out two in the ninth to earn his sixth save of the season. J.P. Crawford hit his second home run of the season for the Mariners as part of a 2-for-3 game with two walks. Canzone went 2-for-4. Minnesota racked up 12 hits. Ryan Jeffers went 2-for-4 with a run scored. He also started the eighth with a single that would lead to the Twins taking the lead. Brooks Lee also went 2-for- 4, with his two-run single in the fourth giving the Twins a 2-1 lead. Trevor Larnach and Kody Clemens went 2-for-3. Taj Bradley threw seven sharp innings for the Twins, allowing just two runs on four hits and two walks, while striking out seven. Seattle starter George Kirby went 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks, while striking out five. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cole #Youngs #big #hit #helps #Mariners #rally #TwinsApr 29, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (3) turns a double play on a ball hit by Minnesota Twins left fielder Trevor Larnach (9) during the third inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Cole Young hit a two-run single in the ninth inning for the Seattle Mariners, who rallied for a 5-3 victory Wednesday over the Minnesota Twins and took two of three in the series at Minneapolis.

The game-winning hit capped a 2-for-4, three RBI game for the Mariners second baseman. He has upped his batting average by 53 points (.233 to .286) by going 11-for-22 since last Friday.

Seattle had just seven hits in the game but also took advantage of five walks while winning for the sixth time in seven games.

Randy Arozarena started the ninth with a four-pitch walk from Eric Orze (0-1).

An out later, Dominic Canzone singled to put runners on the corners. Leo Rivas pinch-ran for the designated hitter and stole second during Young’s at-bat.

With the infield in, Young’s grounder got under a diving Luke Keaschall and rolled into the outfield to make it 4-3. Cal Raleigh’s deep sacrifice fly to center added an insurance run.

Before Young’s heroics, it looked like Twins catcher Victor Caratini would play that role, as his pinch-hit single in the bottom of the eighth off Gabe Speier gave Minnesota a 3-2 lead.


Instead, Minnesota lost for the seventh time in its last eight games.

Cole Criswell (1-0) pitched just a third of an inning, but it was enough for the victory. He got Bryan Buxton to fly out with the bases loaded to end the Twins’ eighth.

Andres Munoz struck out two in the ninth to earn his sixth save of the season.

J.P. Crawford hit his second home run of the season for the Mariners as part of a 2-for-3 game with two walks. Canzone went 2-for-4.

Minnesota racked up 12 hits. Ryan Jeffers went 2-for-4 with a run scored. He also started the eighth with a single that would lead to the Twins taking the lead. Brooks Lee also went 2-for- 4, with his two-run single in the fourth giving the Twins a 2-1 lead.

Trevor Larnach and Kody Clemens went 2-for-3.

Taj Bradley threw seven sharp innings for the Twins, allowing just two runs on four hits and two walks, while striking out seven. Seattle starter George Kirby went 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks, while striking out five.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cole #Youngs #big #hit #helps #Mariners #rally #Twins">Deadspin | Cole Young’s big hit helps Mariners rally past Twins Apr 29, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (3) turns a double play on a ball hit by Minnesota Twins left fielder Trevor Larnach (9) during the third inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Cole Young hit a two-run single in the ninth inning for the Seattle Mariners, who rallied for a 5-3 victory Wednesday over the Minnesota Twins and took two of three in the series at Minneapolis. The game-winning hit capped a 2-for-4, three RBI game for the Mariners second baseman. He has upped his batting average by 53 points (.233 to .286) by going 11-for-22 since last Friday. Seattle had just seven hits in the game but also took advantage of five walks while winning for the sixth time in seven games. Randy Arozarena started the ninth with a four-pitch walk from Eric Orze (0-1). An out later, Dominic Canzone singled to put runners on the corners. Leo Rivas pinch-ran for the designated hitter and stole second during Young’s at-bat. With the infield in, Young’s grounder got under a diving Luke Keaschall and rolled into the outfield to make it 4-3. Cal Raleigh’s deep sacrifice fly to center added an insurance run. Before Young’s heroics, it looked like Twins catcher Victor Caratini would play that role, as his pinch-hit single in the bottom of the eighth off Gabe Speier gave Minnesota a 3-2 lead. Instead, Minnesota lost for the seventh time in its last eight games. Cole Criswell (1-0) pitched just a third of an inning, but it was enough for the victory. He got Bryan Buxton to fly out with the bases loaded to end the Twins’ eighth. Andres Munoz struck out two in the ninth to earn his sixth save of the season. J.P. Crawford hit his second home run of the season for the Mariners as part of a 2-for-3 game with two walks. Canzone went 2-for-4. Minnesota racked up 12 hits. Ryan Jeffers went 2-for-4 with a run scored. He also started the eighth with a single that would lead to the Twins taking the lead. Brooks Lee also went 2-for- 4, with his two-run single in the fourth giving the Twins a 2-1 lead. Trevor Larnach and Kody Clemens went 2-for-3. Taj Bradley threw seven sharp innings for the Twins, allowing just two runs on four hits and two walks, while striking out seven. Seattle starter George Kirby went 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks, while striking out five. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cole #Youngs #big #hit #helps #Mariners #rally #Twins

Deadspin | Knicks’ physicality has helped them of brink of advancing past Hawks Apr 28, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) controls the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the third quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Jalen Brunson can continue to build on his reputation as a big-time player if he finds a way to carry the New York Knicks into the second round of the playoffs. Led by Brunson, the Knicks hold a 3-2 lead over the Atlanta Hawks in their best-of-seven, first-round Eastern Conference series and will try to clinch the series on Thursday in Atlanta. Brunson scored 39 points with eight assists and a game-high plus-23 rating in Tuesday’s 126-97 romp over the Hawks in New York. The veteran is averaging 28.2 points and 5.8 assists in five playoff games. He’s scored 26-plus points in four of the five contests and continues to provide matchup problems for Atlanta. “We’ll keep putting different guys on him, changing matchups, trying to do anything we can to make it hard on him,” Atlanta coach Quin Snyder said. “I have tremendous respect for him as a player and a leader, and his ability to create for himself and then create for his teammates. It’s not easy.” Little has worked. “We’re just trying to move him around as much as we can so they can’t catch a rhythm with him,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. It all worked for the Knicks on Tuesday. Karl-Anthony Towns had 16 points and 14 rebounds, and OG Anunoby added 17 points and 10 rebounds. “OG and KAT were monsters,” Brown said. “They were phenomenal.” The Knicks know, though, how elusive that fourth win in a playoff series can be. “We just understand what the situation is. The toughest game to win is the one that ends someone’s season,” Towns said. “We’ve got to be super disciplined. We have to execute at the highest level that we have in this series. We have to be ready for a really tough game.” The Knicks produced a tough-guy effort on Tuesday. They were able to make the game more physical, the style New York prefers against the more finesse game Atlanta desires. “We’ve just got to play through it. We can’t let their physicality take us out of what we want to do,” Atlanta center Onyeka Okongwu said. ” … We’re not really playing like ourselves. We’re not running. We’re not moving the ball. We’re not spacing. The things that we did to get us to this point of the year, we’re not doing well enough. So we have to do that on Thursday.” Atlanta failed to have a player reach 20 points in Game 5, with Jalen Johnson scoring 18 and Dyson Daniels adding 17. CJ McCollum, the hero of Atlanta’s Game 2 win in New York, was 3-of-10 shooting with six points. The Hawks flew the white flag of surrender when they cleared the bench trailing by 24 with 4:09 remaining. The physicality has really seemed to bother Johnson. He is averaging 19.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists in the playoffs, compared to 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists during the regular season. “They did what they were supposed to do, protecting home court,” Snyder said. “Their defense never really let us establish consistently how we need to play to beat them. We have to be more committed to imposing our will on the offensive end. Really moving and passing, you can feel possessions where that occurs, and that’s when we’re efficient or have success.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Knicks #physicality #helped #brink #advancing #HawksApr 28, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) controls the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the third quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Jalen Brunson can continue to build on his reputation as a big-time player if he finds a way to carry the New York Knicks into the second round of the playoffs.

Led by Brunson, the Knicks hold a 3-2 lead over the Atlanta Hawks in their best-of-seven, first-round Eastern Conference series and will try to clinch the series on Thursday in Atlanta.

Brunson scored 39 points with eight assists and a game-high plus-23 rating in Tuesday’s 126-97 romp over the Hawks in New York. The veteran is averaging 28.2 points and 5.8 assists in five playoff games. He’s scored 26-plus points in four of the five contests and continues to provide matchup problems for Atlanta.

“We’ll keep putting different guys on him, changing matchups, trying to do anything we can to make it hard on him,” Atlanta coach Quin Snyder said. “I have tremendous respect for him as a player and a leader, and his ability to create for himself and then create for his teammates. It’s not easy.”

Little has worked.

“We’re just trying to move him around as much as we can so they can’t catch a rhythm with him,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said.

It all worked for the Knicks on Tuesday. Karl-Anthony Towns had 16 points and 14 rebounds, and OG Anunoby added 17 points and 10 rebounds.

“OG and KAT were monsters,” Brown said. “They were phenomenal.”


The Knicks know, though, how elusive that fourth win in a playoff series can be.

“We just understand what the situation is. The toughest game to win is the one that ends someone’s season,” Towns said. “We’ve got to be super disciplined. We have to execute at the highest level that we have in this series. We have to be ready for a really tough game.”

The Knicks produced a tough-guy effort on Tuesday. They were able to make the game more physical, the style New York prefers against the more finesse game Atlanta desires.

“We’ve just got to play through it. We can’t let their physicality take us out of what we want to do,” Atlanta center Onyeka Okongwu said. ” … We’re not really playing like ourselves. We’re not running. We’re not moving the ball. We’re not spacing. The things that we did to get us to this point of the year, we’re not doing well enough. So we have to do that on Thursday.”

Atlanta failed to have a player reach 20 points in Game 5, with Jalen Johnson scoring 18 and Dyson Daniels adding 17. CJ McCollum, the hero of Atlanta’s Game 2 win in New York, was 3-of-10 shooting with six points.

The Hawks flew the white flag of surrender when they cleared the bench trailing by 24 with 4:09 remaining.

The physicality has really seemed to bother Johnson. He is averaging 19.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists in the playoffs, compared to 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists during the regular season.

“They did what they were supposed to do, protecting home court,” Snyder said. “Their defense never really let us establish consistently how we need to play to beat them. We have to be more committed to imposing our will on the offensive end. Really moving and passing, you can feel possessions where that occurs, and that’s when we’re efficient or have success.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Knicks #physicality #helped #brink #advancing #Hawks">Deadspin | Knicks’ physicality has helped them of brink of advancing past Hawks Apr 28, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) controls the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the third quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Jalen Brunson can continue to build on his reputation as a big-time player if he finds a way to carry the New York Knicks into the second round of the playoffs. Led by Brunson, the Knicks hold a 3-2 lead over the Atlanta Hawks in their best-of-seven, first-round Eastern Conference series and will try to clinch the series on Thursday in Atlanta. Brunson scored 39 points with eight assists and a game-high plus-23 rating in Tuesday’s 126-97 romp over the Hawks in New York. The veteran is averaging 28.2 points and 5.8 assists in five playoff games. He’s scored 26-plus points in four of the five contests and continues to provide matchup problems for Atlanta. “We’ll keep putting different guys on him, changing matchups, trying to do anything we can to make it hard on him,” Atlanta coach Quin Snyder said. “I have tremendous respect for him as a player and a leader, and his ability to create for himself and then create for his teammates. It’s not easy.” Little has worked. “We’re just trying to move him around as much as we can so they can’t catch a rhythm with him,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. It all worked for the Knicks on Tuesday. Karl-Anthony Towns had 16 points and 14 rebounds, and OG Anunoby added 17 points and 10 rebounds. “OG and KAT were monsters,” Brown said. “They were phenomenal.” The Knicks know, though, how elusive that fourth win in a playoff series can be. “We just understand what the situation is. The toughest game to win is the one that ends someone’s season,” Towns said. “We’ve got to be super disciplined. We have to execute at the highest level that we have in this series. We have to be ready for a really tough game.” The Knicks produced a tough-guy effort on Tuesday. They were able to make the game more physical, the style New York prefers against the more finesse game Atlanta desires. “We’ve just got to play through it. We can’t let their physicality take us out of what we want to do,” Atlanta center Onyeka Okongwu said. ” … We’re not really playing like ourselves. We’re not running. We’re not moving the ball. We’re not spacing. The things that we did to get us to this point of the year, we’re not doing well enough. So we have to do that on Thursday.” Atlanta failed to have a player reach 20 points in Game 5, with Jalen Johnson scoring 18 and Dyson Daniels adding 17. CJ McCollum, the hero of Atlanta’s Game 2 win in New York, was 3-of-10 shooting with six points. The Hawks flew the white flag of surrender when they cleared the bench trailing by 24 with 4:09 remaining. The physicality has really seemed to bother Johnson. He is averaging 19.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists in the playoffs, compared to 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists during the regular season. “They did what they were supposed to do, protecting home court,” Snyder said. “Their defense never really let us establish consistently how we need to play to beat them. We have to be more committed to imposing our will on the offensive end. Really moving and passing, you can feel possessions where that occurs, and that’s when we’re efficient or have success.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Knicks #physicality #helped #brink #advancing #Hawks

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