The Knicks used a 40-point second quarter to rout the Hawks in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon, 121-105.
All five Knicks starters scored in double figures and head coach Tom Thibodeau passed Pat Riley on the team’s all-time wins list (224).
Here are the takeaways…
-The Knicks took an early punch from the Hawks, who got out to a 5-0 start. But the Knicks’ defense clamped down and the combination of OG Anunoby and Josh Hart set the tone on offense. The duo drove to the hoop consistently, making easy layups and getting to the free-throw line.
New York got out to a sizeable double-digit lead for most of the first quarter, but turnovers and lackluster defense allowed the Hawks to cut the Knicks’ lead to 38-31 after the first quarter. The Knicks had a balanced attack on offense, with Anunoby (11), Hart (8), Karl-Anthony Towns (7), Mikal Bridges (7) and Delon Wright (5) providing the scoring for the starters as the team shot 61 percent from the field. Unfortunately, the Hawks shot 57 percent in the frame.
-Towns would be the aggressor to start the second with Hart and Anunoby on the bench. The Knicks’ big man scored the team’s first five points and was consistently handling the ball at the top of the key. With eight minutes remaining in the second, Towns hurt his finger going for an offensive rebound and was in visible pain. Towns would head to the locker room to get it checked.
Towns would return after a few minutes, and just in time for the Knicks to go on an extended run. The Knicks’ defense and the Hawks’ inability to make shots led to a 30-plus point cushion for New York. Some lackadaisical defense by the Knicks allowed the Hawks to get some points back, but New York went into halftime up, 78-53. It’s the most points the Knicks have scored in the first half this season and the most first-half points allowed by the Hawks this year.
The Knicks shot an insane 75 percent to Atlanta’s 33 percent in the second quarter. Four of the Knicks’ five starters were in double digits.
-The lax Knicks defense/offense continued early in the third, but a double-digit run pushed their lead back up to 33 points with eight minutes left. Everything went right for the Knicks in this quarter — even a blocking foul called on Anunoby was overturned after review. New York entered the fourth quarter up 28 points and in full control.
New York maintained that lead for the duration of the game, with the Hawks only bringing it below a 20-point deficit with a few minutes to go.
Towns led the Knicks’ scoring with 30 points, while Anunoby (24), Hart (16), Bridges (20) and Wright (10) rounded out the starter’s scoring. Hart was one rebound shy of his 10th triple-double this season.
–Cam Payne made his return off the bench after missing four games with an ankle injury. In 21 minutes on the floor, the guard scored three points on 1-of-5 shooting.
Landry Shamet led the bench scoring with 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting, all made shots coming from three.
Game MVP: Entire team
No individual stood out as the entire team took it to Atlanta. The team shot 54 percent overall from the field and 52 percent from three. The defense also held the Hawks to 47 percent shooting and 31 percent from three.
Highlights
Defense ➡️ offense
OG with the block and Delon Wright with the bucket!
(via @nyknicks) pic.twitter.com/aIWaem1YhL
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 5, 2025
WHAT A RUN BY THE KNICKS!
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— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 5, 2025
The Knicks are ON FIRE from deep 🔥
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— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 5, 2025
What’s next
The Knicks head back home to host the Phoenix Suns at The Garden on Sunday, in what is expected to be Jalen Brunson’s return. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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