Emirates NBA Cup: Hawks Rally Past Knicks; Rockets Outlast Warriors

The Emirates NBA Cup continued
its quarterfinals with thrilling matchups on Wednesday night with
the Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets punching their tickets to the
semifinals in Las Vegas with impressive wins over the New York
Knicks and Golden State Warriors.

Trae Young Reclaims MSG

The Atlanta Hawks triumphed over
the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, 108-100, in a game
defined by resilience and key performances. Trae Young, once
reviled in the Garden for his playoff heroics, delivered 22 points
and 11 assists, including a clutch third-quarter run that helped
the Hawks recover from an early deficit. Atlanta outscored New York
34-18 in the pivotal third quarter, turning the tide
decisively.

Jalen Johnson was the unsung
hero for Atlanta, contributing a double-double with 21 points and
15 rebounds, while De’Andre Hunter provided a spark off the bench.
Despite Karl-Anthony Towns’ dominant 19-point, 19-rebound effort
for New York, foul trouble in the fourth quarter hampered his
impact. Josh Hart also stepped up for the Knicks with 21 points,
but the team’s offense faltered late​

Rockets Edge Warriors in Thriller

In Houston, the Rockets eked out
a 91-90 win over the Golden State Warriors. Alperen Şengün was the
standout player, tallying 26 points and 11 rebounds, including
pivotal plays in the final minutes. Jalen Green’s clutch free
throws with 3.5 seconds left sealed the victory, overcoming a
strong push by the Warriors led by Jonathan Kuminga’s 20 points.
The Rockets’ victory also highlighted their young core’s growth and
ability to compete under pressure.

The results set the stage for
high-stakes matchups in the NBA Cup semifinals, with both Atlanta
and Houston proving their mettle in thrilling fashion​
here.