The New York Knicks were hyped for a home playoff game at Madison Square Garden. Unfortunately, Trae Young gave the Atlanta Hawks the victory with a clutch floater with mere seconds left to grab the Game 1 victory. After the game, Knicks' All-Star Julius Randle had an interesting response when asked about his performance in the opening game of the series.

At least he's honest, right? Randle was the best player in New York for the entirety of the campaign as he grabbed a spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star squad and has been nominated as a finalist for Most Improved.

However, Randle struggled immensely in the first go-around of what could very likely be a seven-game set against the gritty Hawks.

Article Continues Below
More New York Knicks News
Featured image Ariel Hukporti:
Knicks make 2 contract decisions, including on P.J. TuckerDylan Fine ·
New York Knicks forward Bojan Bogdanovic (44) warms up before a game against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden.
Bojan Bogdanovic makes big retirement decision after 2024-25 campaignZachary Weinberger ·
Mar 5, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) laughs before the game with the Portland Trail Blazers at Target Center.
Karl-Anthony Towns shares funny post after Dawn Staley’s Knicks interview Rishav Bhat ·
May 11, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach Taylor Jenkins (right) and Interim Golden State Warriors Head Coach Mike Brown (left) lead their teams from the sidelines during game five of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Joe Rondone-Imagn Images
Knicks rumors: Taylor Jenkins, Mike Brown heading into 2nd round of HC interviewsKris Pursiainen ·
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts during the first half of the national championship of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the Connecticut Huskies at Amalie Arena. Thibodeau
Knicks rumors: New York interested in Dawn Staley for head coaching jobZachary Howell ·
2025 NBA Draft Big Board First Round
New York Knicks 2025 NBA Draft grade for pick No. 51Drew Maresca ·

Randle- the former first-round pick out of Kentucky- finished the regular season averaging a career-high 24.1 points per game to go with 10.2 rebounds and six assists. Furthermore, Randle shot a blistering 41 percent from beyond the arc in another career-high category as the Knicks finished as the 4-seed in the Eastern Conference.

Nonetheless, he sputtered in Game 1, and he knows that more than anybody. On the other hand, there is a silver lining for the Knicks.

Despite the poor effort from Randle, the Knicks lost by two points in a wild back and forth game that went down to the final buzzer. Randle had a shot to send it to overtime but with 0.9 seconds left after Young's floater, the Knicks couldn't get a quality shot off.

So, on to Game 2 for Randle and the Knicks, and if his comments are any indication, he should be absolutely dominant as they try and even the series on Wednesday.