In French on Seneweb.
In a high-voltage atmosphere at Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks delivered a decisive blow, crushing the Atlanta Hawks 126-97.
This clear victory gives New York a 3-2 lead in the series, placing the team just one win away from qualifying for the next round.
A Historic Debut for Jeremy Sochan
At the heart of this collective success, the evening held a special significance for Polish-American Jeremy Sochan, who experienced the first playoff game of his career.
At just 22 years old, the versatile forward—a recent addition to the Big Apple—delivered a lightning-fast performance of formidable efficiency. In only 3 minutes of play, he scored 10 points with a perfect 4/4 shooting record, including a successful three-pointer.
In an exclusive interview with ViaggioSport/Seneweb, Sochan described the experience as a true “blessing,” highlighting the emotion of contributing to the team’s momentum in the world’s most famous arena. “It’s the biggest arena in the world, so just being there, being present, being with my team and playing, it’s incredible,” he remarked.
Staying Focused in the City
Despite the inherent distractions of New York life, he displayed exemplary maturity. “I know my goal,” he said. “You have to find the right balance and stay focused. It’s not really difficult for me, but you have to be smart.”
Having developed his skills in the European system between the UK and Poland, he relies on solid fundamentals and a professional approach. “Coaches there teach you the fundamentals from a young age—how to respect the ‘Basketball Gods.’ I’m always grateful for that journey.”
When asked about the secret to his quick integration and success, Sochan insisted it comes down to a willingness to learn. “For me, it’s always a question of listening to the coaches, being open to many different things, and working on my game. I am versatile, so working on all of that is important.”
Looking Ahead to Atlanta
Despite the surrounding euphoria at the Garden, Sochan remains cautious, noting that the team must stay focused during Game 6 in Atlanta to close out the series.
“It’s not over. We have to stay focused and prepare to go to Atlanta, and of course, they are going to be hungry. We have to stay connected to get the win.”
Regarding the future of the sport, Sochan expressed excitement about the NBA’s global growth. “Merging the NBA in Europe is a crazy idea, but it could work. It’s going to make the NBA more popular and bring more engagement. It’s super cool, and you never know—maybe I’ll be part of NBA Europe one day.”
