The Knicks’ Thrilling Overtime Victory
The Knicks wrapped up the first part of their season on a high note, albeit an exhausting one, with a thrilling 149-148 overtime win against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. The game was a testament to the team’s resilience and the depth of their lineup. Here are the key takeaways from the matchup.
Anunoby’s Absence and the All-Star Break
While OG Anunoby was considered a game-time decision due to a foot sprain, he was ultimately ruled out for the fifth consecutive game. Given that the Knicks won’t play again until February 20, the All-Star break comes at a convenient time for Anunoby’s recovery. His absence was felt, but the team managed to pull through with a spectacular team effort.
Early-Confrontation and Team Unity
It didn’t take long for old tensions to flare between the Knicks and the Hawks. Josh Hart and Mouhamed Gueye grappled over a rebound near the Knicks’ basket, leading to a brief scrum on the baseline. Despite the heated moment, no fouls were called, and New York claimed possession. This early confrontation set the tone for a highly competitive and intense game.
Jalen Brunson’s Strong Start
Midway through the first quarter, the Knicks received equal contributions from their lineup, with the five starters each scoring four points at the 6:02 mark. However, it didn’t take long for Jalen Brunson to find his groove. He erased his poor eight-point performance from Tuesday with a sharp 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting and five assists. New York led by as much as 10 in the quarter, thanks to Brunson’s hot start.
Karl-Anthony Towns’ Scoring Frenzy
Karl-Anthony Towns, coming off a stellar 40-point showing against the Pacers on Tuesday, continued his scoring pace in the second quarter. He found success both in the paint and beyond the arc, and by the 4:05 mark, he had 24 points, helping the Knicks lead by 17. It was Towns’ 14th half this season with 20-plus points, showcasing his capability to dominate games.
Hawks’ Resilient Comeback
The Garden’s villain, Trae Young, struggled in the first half, scoring a mere seven points on 2-of-11 shooting. Entering the game, he had averaged 24 points in three games against the Knicks this season. However, his teammates picked up the slack, and Atlanta closed the second quarter on a 12-2 run, trailing by only eight. The Hawks’ depth was evident as they outscored New York in bench points by a staggering 35-4 margin through three quarters.
Overtime Drama and Brunson’s Heroics
The Knicks regained control early in the fourth quarter, scoring the first nine points to push their lead back into double-digits. But the Hawks continued to claw back, and with a three from Young at the 3:48 mark, they trailed by just two. Brunson came up clutch, scoring five points to push the lead back to four, 133-129, with 1:08 left. Despite leading by six with 18 seconds left, the Knicks allowed five straight points to the Hawks, forcing overtime.
In overtime, Young gave the Hawks their first lead of the game with a running layup, and Caris LeVert added a three to push Atlanta’s run to 11-0. However, Brunson’s heroics continued as he scored four points to help the Knicks reclaim the lead. With 11 seconds left, Brunson sealed the game with a game-winning jumper. The 297 combined points made it the highest-scoring game of the NBA season.
Game MVP: Karl-Anthony Towns
For a second consecutive game, Towns didn’t look the least bit hampered by his injured thumb. He produced back-to-back 40-point games (40, 44), a first in his career, and it was also his 15th game with 30-plus points this season. Towns’ performance was a key factor in the Knicks’ victory, and he will be heading to San Francisco for All-Star festivities this weekend.
Up Next
The Knicks (36-18) enter the All-Star break as the Eastern Conference’s three-seed. They will resume their regular season next Thursday, February 20, against the Chicago Bulls (7:30 tip). The team’s strong finish to the first portion of their season sets a positive tone as they prepare for the second half of the regular season.
