Dyson Daniels did not hide the physical gap between the Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks after a 126-97 loss at Madison Square Garden in Game 5 of the first-round series. “We got smashed tonight, but we still got a chance. It’s 3-2. We’re going home to protect our home court.”
The Hawks guard pointed directly at New York’s physical approach and execution on both ends. “We got to be more physical. We got to play harder. They came in and just manhandled us.”
Daniels highlighted rebounding, screens, and discipline as key swing factors in the Knicks’ dominance. “They pushed us under on rebounds. They set really good screens. They did all the little things. They took care of the ball.”
Atlanta was out-rebounded 48-27, a margin that shaped possession control and limited transition opportunities. The Knicks also finished with a 13-4 advantage in fast-break points.
Daniels stressed that Atlanta’s response has to start with team-wide improvement rather than isolated adjustments. “We got to move the ball. We got to get better shots. We got to take care of it.”
He added that the series has not reflected the Hawks’ standards through five games. “We haven’t played anywhere near our best basketball at all this series.”
Defensively, Daniels emphasized collective responsibility against New York’s offensive structure led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. “We got good individual defenders, but we got to be better on team defense.”
Early defensive breakdowns in Game 5 allowed New York to establish control in the paint, where the Knicks built repeated advantages through interior scoring and offensive rebounding pressure.
Daniels also addressed the challenge of guarding Karl-Anthony Towns, who operates as both a perimeter threat and a post option. “Just crowding his space… push out the catch, try to mirror the ball, and be physical.”
He explained the tactical focus needed against Towns’ versatility. “It’s about crowding him, making him go east to west rather than north to south.”
Offensively, Daniels found more rhythm individually, but he framed it within team context rather than personal production. “I came out trying to be more aggressive… get downhill, attack Brunson.”
Despite the improvement, he acknowledged Atlanta’s overall inconsistency. “For me, to come out tonight and just get it going a little bit, hopefully carry that over to Game 6.”
Transition offense remains a key issue for the Hawks heading into Game 6 in Atlanta. Daniels linked that directly to defensive stops and discipline. “You can’t play fast when we put them on the free throw line and we’re not getting stops.”
He stressed urgency in execution across all five players on the floor. “Everyone’s got to run. If you have four guys running and one guy doesn’t, that hurts you as well.”
Atlanta now returns home trailing 3-2, needing a response in Game 6 to extend the series after consecutive lopsided losses have shifted momentum firmly toward New York.