The Knicks lost Game 2 to the Atlanta Hawks, with Mike Brown's controversial timeout called during the fourth quarter, potentially allowing the Hawks to take a 2-0 series lead. The controversial call came as Jalen Brunson was set to score 29 points on 10-of-26 shooting, while no other Knick player took more than three shots in the final period. The Knicks cited a "stagnant" offense as the chief reason for Brown's decision to halt play. The game ended in a loss that exposed the team's flaws, with both the Knicks and the Hawks. Brown admitted the risk but did not fully concede, but understood that the Knicks struggle when Brunson and Towns sit together.