The Atlanta Hawks dropped their second straight in a road loss against the New York Knicks, 113-89. Atlanta was out-played from start to finish in this one, essentially trailing by double-digits the entire game.
The Knicks, who are the worst three-point shooting team in the league, hit six three’s in the first frame alone. They shot 47.2% on the night, hitting 17-36. In comparison, the Hawks were about as bad as it gets, shooting a paltry-16.7% on 6-36 shooting from deep.
Julius Randle had a big night for New York with a game-high 34 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, going 6-12 from three. Randle was also an impressive +29 in plus/minus. Atlanta was dominated on the glass, an unsavory-trend for Hawks fans, losing that battle, 55-39.
Second-year player, Quentin Grimes, played maybe his best game of the season for the Knicks. Grimes was 5-7 from beyond the arc, 8-11 overall, on his way to 23 points. He also finished with an impressive +21 plus/minus rating.
Atlanta struggled out the gate offensively and traded two’s for three’s between the Knicks, which is not a formula for success. More concerning for Atlanta fans was the ankle-injury to Dejounte Murray about 4 minutes into the first quarter. As a result, the Knicks were able to key-in on Trae Young who was largely made ineffective. Young finished with 19 points, shooting 9-20 from the field, going 0-4 from three, with 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 turnovers, in 30 minutes of action.
There has been no official word on Murray’s status moving forward, but judging the sprain with the naked eye, it is safe to assume he will be out a handful of games. That marks the third starter to go down for the Hawks, with De’Andre Hunter and John Collins, sidelined with various injuries.
For the second season in a row, Atlanta will have to navigate multiple games while missing multiple starters. Nothing new for Nate McMillan and his coaching staff.
Atlanta will stay in the ‘Big Apple’ to square off with the suddenly red-hot, Brooklyn Nets, who have won the last 8-of-11. Tip-off from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center is at 7:30 p.m. eastern on Friday night.
