Knicks Survive Hawks Through Jalen Brunson Heroics

The New York Knicks survived an overtime thriller against the Atlanta Hawks thanks to brilliant efforts from their All-Stars.

Feb 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) looks to drive past Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) in the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

If there was any doubt as to why the New York Knicks landed two men in the NBA All-Star Game's starting lineup, it was efficiently terminated on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns solidified their starting cases in the highest-scoring game of this NBA season, as their heroics allowed the Knicks to survive a 149-148 overtime thriller against the Atlanta Hawks. Towns put up 44 points (along with 10 rebounds for yet another double-double) while Brunson was right behind him with 36 more, the final couple creating the winning margin in the final 11 seconds of the extra period.

Combined with the 42 he had in Tuesday's win over Indiana, Towns becomes just the fifth Knick to earn consecutive games with at least 40, joining Brunson, Carmelo Anthony, Patrick Ewing, and Bernard King.

Feb 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) looks to drive past Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) in the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

It took all their might after losing a six-point lead at the end of regulation but New York (36-18) goes into the break on a landmark note: the Knicks are now a season-best 18 games over .500 and the 36 wins that they have tallied prior to the All-Star break are good for the third-best tally in franchise history—behind only their championship season in 1969-70 (38) and 1972-73 (39).

With the break in sight, the Knicks seemed poised to go into the hiatus on a breezy high note: New York led by as much as 18 in the first half and held lasting nemesis Trae Young to a brutal 2-of-11 rate from the field.

Towns (24) and Brunson (20) united for 44 of the Knicks' 68 points en route to an eight-point lead at halftime but the success came at a price: Miles McBride, already listed as questionable for Wednesday's game due to a rib contusion, played but eight minutes and was ruled out during third quarter action with the same ailment.

Atlanta (26-29) kept things close the rest of the way: buoyed by Dyson Daniels' early scoring (and his solid defense of Brunson in the latter periods of regulation), the Hawks found a late groove thanks to bench tallies from Caris LeVert and Georges Niang as well as a resurgent Young, who played a role in 27 of Atlanta's 36 fourth period points (via 16 tallies of his own and five assists).

But thrust forward by Precious Achiuwa (who scored a Knicks career-best 26 points) and Cameron Payne, the Knicks maintained their lead in the fourth, one that stood at 137-131 with the shot clock turned off. But Niang hit a seemingly-innocuous three with nine seconds remaining —one that tipped off a thrilling climax.

Towns' ensuing inbounds pass was stolen by Daniels, who hit one of the ensuing pair before getting his own rebound. But Young was fouled by Hart in the bonus and set up overtime with two successful singles despite being serenaded by the usual pleasantries from the MSG crowd.

Atlanta took its first lead of the game with five consecutive tallies but the Knicks responded with six straight of their own. The two sides traded shots until Atlanta head the lead with an empty shot clock thanks to free throws from Onyeka Okongwu.

Feb 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) looks to drive past Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) in the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

That's when Brunson worked his magic, hitting the game-winner over Daniels that sent Manhattan in a frenzy. Young had one last chance to break New York's heart but his drive was rejected by Mikal Bridges before Niang launched a futile three with less than a second remaining. The loss ended the Hawks' three-game winning streak as they struggle to attempt to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Five different Hawks had at least 20 points, paced by 38 for Young, who also had 19 assists. One more meeting between the Knicks and Hawks awaits on April 5.

All Knicks—with the exception of Brunson and Towns, of course—now get some much-needed rest, as their next game will be a home tilt against the reeling Chicago Bulls next Thursday night (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).

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