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Will Julius Randle & Trae Young Play Tonight? New York Knicks vs Atlanta Hawks Game 5: Prediction, Injuries, & Lineups

Published 06/02/2021, 10:27 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

The New York Knicks host the Atlanta Hawks at the Madison Square Garden in a must win game. This game is scheduled to be held at 7:30 PM EST and is the fifth game of the series.

The Knicks were absolutely dreadful in the last two games. Apart from Derrick Rose, no one made any consistent contributions in the offensive end. They also had dreadful games in terms of their defense.

With absolutely zero answer for Trae Young, the Knicks have slipped to a 3-1 deficit and are on the brink of an elimination in the very first round. But given that they have the home court advantage, this series is still not done. Can the Knicks pull off a victory at the Garden and keep this series alive?

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USA Today via Reuters

The Atlanta Hawks are clearly showing how much they have improved in this past year. After a sub-par game 2 performance, the Hawks have smashed the Knicks in their two home games. With their offense clicking in all cylinders, the Hawks dominated the fourth seeded Knicks.

Trae Young certainly has been the standout player in the series and is averaging an insane 27.5 points along with 10 assists per game. Given how unstoppable Young and Co. are looking right now, they will be eager to close this series in their next game.

Predictions

This Hawks and Knicks match-up was expected to be a dogfight. While the first two games certainly lived up to its expectations, the last two games have been pure domination by the Hawks. While MSG can be a daunting place to play in, Trae Young and Co. aren’t scared and clearly are the better team in the series. Given the dreadful form the Knicks find themselves in and also the Hawks’ dominant displays, Atlanta are favorites to close the series out in their upcoming game.

New York Knicks: Injury updates and lineup prediction

The Knicks will be missing center Mitchell Robinson against the Hawks, who is out with a foot injury and is doubtful to make his return this season. Injuries clearly haven’t been the issue for the Knicks, rather it is the form of players like Randle and Barrett.

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USA Today via Reuters

After four disappointing games, the Most Improved Player of the season, needs to step up. Can Randle finally bring his regular season form for the Knicks and keep his team alive in the series?

Probable Lineup

RJ Barrett (G)

Derrick Rose (G)

Julius Randle (F)

Reggie Bullock (F)

Taj Gibson (C)

Atlanta Hawks injury updates and lineup prediction

The Hawks will also be missing a couple of players through injuries. Cam Reddish is sidelined indefinitely with an Achilles injury while guard Brandon Goodwin is also out indefinitely due to illness.

USA Today via Reuters

The Hawks have simply been unstoppable in their last two games and have emerged as the clear favorites in the series. Silencing the MSG and clinching the series might be the perfect way to cap off a dominant display.

Probable Lineup

Trae Young (G)

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Bogdan Bogdanovic (G)

DeAndre Hunter (F)

John Collins (F)

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Clint Capela (C)

Who will win between the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Aditya Mohapatra

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Aditya Mohapatra is a sports enthusiast who primarily covers the NBA for EssentiallySports. Having graduated in Mass Communication, he has prior experience in writing for ABP News, and has been writing for EssentiallySports since November 2020. This die-hard Los Angeles Lakers fan feels that LeBron James is the best thing to have ever happened to the NBA, and will hold a healthy debate with anyone suggesting otherwise.
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