Jalen Brunson Burns Atlanta as New York Knicks Declaw Hawks
Jalen Brunson is perhaps bringing a whole new definition to "Hot-lanta."
The New York Knicks' point guard once again came through at State Farm Arena as his late efforts allowed his group to nab a 116-114 victory over the hosting Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night. Between assists and his own successful baskets, Brunson was involved in all but two of the Knicks' final 11 points over the final 2:01, opening that run with a triple that took away New York's last deficit of the night
Brunson, who previously set a new career-best in three-pointers in his previous visit to Atlanta on Oct. 27, had 24 points while Julius Randle led the team with 29 on 12-of-24 shooting. Elsewhere in the starting five, Mitchell Robinson hauled in 15 rebounds (just ahead of Randle's 10 in a double-double), including six of the offensive variety on an evening when the Knicks posted a 21-4 advantage in the second chance points.
Immanuel Quickley had 20 off the bench, helping take over for a Knicks group missing both RJ Barrett (migraines) and Quentin Grimes, the latter of whom left the game with a left hand injury in the second half.
The Knicks (6-5) won their first game without Barrett in four tries this season and also earned their first triumph on their ongoing five-game tour currently working its way through the Southeast.
Jalen Brunson (11) did backcourt battle with Bogdan Bogdanović (13) on Wednesday in Atlanta
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Wednesday's game was bookended by Brunson mastery: the Knicks built an early lead in the opening frame when the point guard partook in 18 of the Knicks' 33 period points while Randle deposited 14 tallies of his own and hauled in three rebounds. The Hawks neutralized the headlining duo over the middle stages and got back into the game with a combined 19 points from reserves Bogdan Bogdanović and Saddiq Bey in the second.
Once Randle and Brunson started to find their respective grooves again, the Knicks re-re-established a series of eight-point leads in the third quarter before Atlanta fought back and went up seven with just over five minutes remaining. A speedy 8-0 run from the Knicks after a dunk from Bey consisted of a Brunson jumper sandwiched by two triples from Quickley and set the stage for the narrow final stanzas, during which neither team led by more than three over the final 3:54.
Clutch shooting defined the final minute with the game knotted at 110, Randle gave the Knicks a slim lead with a layup from the hands of Brunson. Despite several New York mistakes, it proved permanent: Trae Young missed a free throw that would've tied the game, leading to a Brunson jumper that put the Knicks ahead by three with the shot clocks turned off.
After further free throw exchanges, Bogdanović's premature attempt at an equalizer airballed out of bounds but the Hawks had another chance when Donte DiVincenzo was charged with a five-second violation on the ensuing inbounds pass. The Knicks fouled Dejounte Murray to prevent a tying triple and he made one before intentionally missing the second. An attempt at an Atlanta rebound and yet another possession was thwarted when Onyeka Okongwu was charged with a lane violation, allowing the Knicks to run out the clock with the final margin.
Atlanta (6-5) has dropped each of its first two games against the Knicks this season, both at home. Bogdanović led the way in scoring with 28 while Young shook off a 4-of-12 shooting night from the field with 17 assists in defeat. One more matchup between the Knicks and Hawks awaits this season as the latter visits Manhattan in March.
In the meantime, the Knicks' road trip continues on Friday night when they resume In-Season Tournament group play against the Washington Wizards (7 p.m. ET, MSG).
