Following a gritty victory at Madison Square Garden to level the series at 1-1, the Atlanta Hawks are bracing for an even more physical Game 3. Hawks’ Nigerian-American guard Gabe Vincent reflected on the escalating aggression of the matchup and the resilient mindset of a locker room that refuses to back down.
When asked about the intense physicality of the game—which at times resembled a wrestling match—Vincent confirmed that pure impact is now dictating the rhythm of the series. “We gave it our all. Every game is getting harder and harder. So the rest of the series will be more physical, more intense, and we’re looking forward to it.”
On the Knicks’ “Gamesmanship”
Tensions rose during Game 2 regarding the frequency of Knicks players hitting the floor. When questioned about the locker room’s reaction to what seemed like a specific strategy from New York, Vincent was blunt:
“Keep going! Stay physical. I think there was, maybe or maybe not, a bit of acting, but hey, that’s part of the game. It’s what the NBA loves.”
A Cosmopolitan Locker Room
Vincent highlighted the unique human element of the Hawks’ roster. With a heavy presence of players from the African continent, such as Mouhamed Gueye and Jonathan Kuminga, the team draws strength from its international identity.
“There are many languages spoken in this locker room. It’s a very international team—the most cosmopolitan I’ve ever been a part of,” Vincent noted. “We lean on that and on each other. We love talking about our different cultures and sharing with one another; it’s great.”
Global Growth and the BAL
Even in the heat of the NBA postseason, Vincent remains connected to the growth of the sport globally, specifically the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
“It’s incredible to see basketball take root like that. I have friends who played in the BAL and loved the experience, so I’m excited to follow it and see how it evolves. It’s great to see the game growing everywhere.”
The Series “Starts Now”
For Vincent, the 1-1 split is just the beginning. “A playoff series doesn’t truly start until the road team wins a game. So, it starts now. We’re going back home and we have to defend our floor.”
