LeBron James applauded Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden for creating a raucous playoff atmosphere today vs Atlanta Hawks.
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The New York Knicks started the game off strong and took a small early lead. This was wrested back by Atlanta on the back of some immaculate offensive play by Trae Young. Atlanta won both quarters 1 and 2 and entered halftime with a 57-44 lead.
Young, however, couldn’t spur his Hawks on from the bench when he sat. Atlanta relinquished their healthy 13-point lead halfway through the 3rd quarter. At the time of writing, they remain 8 points behind the Knicks with the score at 86-78 in NY’s favor.
This rally came on the back of some excellent on-court play by Derrick Rose, obviously. All 3 of Rose, Randle and RJ Barrett had crucial roles to play in the Knicks wresting their lead back.
However, given that the game is being held in front of 15,000 cheering Knicks fans, you have to give them some credit. Crowds play a huge role in keeping their squads in games where they fall behind.
LeBron James acknowledges Knicks crowd at MSG for raucous support
LeBron was once linked with a free agent signing as a New York Knicks player. This happened thrice – 2010, 2014, and 2018. Madison Square Garden is considered the Mecca of basketball, after all.
Playoff basketball has a very different vibe at Madison Square Garden, as most players can attest to. LeBron James thinks no differently when he talks about New York basketball on TV.
His recent tweet in the wake of the 4th quarter proves that he has his eyes on New York. The King applauded Knicks fans for their role in helping the Knicks stage the 3rd quarter run: “Man it’s LOUD A** HELL in MSG! That joint ROCKIN”
The Knicks will be looking to finish this game with the 8-point lead that they hold before a Hawks timeout. It’ll be their first playoff win in 8 years after the last one came against Paul George’s Indiana Pacers.
