After falling to a 23-point deficit, the Hawks came roaring back to defeat the New York Knicks at the legendary Madison Square Garden, 112-99.
Atlanta started the game playing aggressively and getting to the rim, but about halfway into the first quarter, the Knicks went on an 11-0 run. The defensive intensity was not there and the Hawks offense looked stale and unreliable. It did not help that Trae Young shot an inefficient 2-12 from the field. New York stretched their lead to 23 points with about 4 minutes left in the second quarter.
Dejounte Murray turned into a one-man show that saw the Hawks flip this game on its head. Murray would score 18 points in the second quarter alone to keep the Hawks in the game and whittle down the Knick lead to 9 before the half. Murray finished with a career-high, 36 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds & 5 steals. He also had a very impressive +/- rating of 26.
The Hawks blew the game out of the water in the third period. With staunch defense and smart shot selection, Atlanta looked like the completely different team compared to the first half. There was a scare for Hawks fans during the third quarter that saw Young exit the game with an eye contusion. Young did return to finish the game with 17 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds in 28 minutes.
Murray got another chance to shine during Young’s absence, locking down New York’s Jalen Brunson, and putting on a show offensively. New York tied the game at 72 midway through the third, but Atlanta went on a 12-0 run and never looked back. The Knicks had the same number of turnovers in the third as points scored, and Atlanta outscored them 55-34 for the entire second half.
Murray’s play kept the Hawks in the game, but it was a small coaching adjustment from Nate McMillian that altered the course of this one. To start the second half, Atlanta switched into a two-three zone, and the Knicks looked lost. Murray was able to play passing lanes like a free safety in football, and the Hawks length on the wings gave New York nowhere to go with the ball.
The Hawks improve to 5-3 overall and will host the surging-New Orleans Pelicans at State Farm Arena on Saturday.
