The New York Knicks caught fire from beyond the arc and beat the Hawks 126-120 at State Farm Arena on Friday night. The Knicks shot 20-44 on three’s, and Jalen Brunson knocked down a whopping eight three’s in 12 attempts. Simply put, when a team shoots with that level of efficiency and volume from three-point range, it is hard to overcome. Trae Young struggled from the floor again, shooting 4-16 for 18 points, and if this team wants to accomplish its goals, Atlanta’s star point guard needs to be more efficient.
The Hawks could not generate the momentum they needed at the start. They only converted three of their first 11 shots, including 0-5 from beyond the arc. De’Andre Hunter was the only bright spot on offense early, scoring nine of the Hawks’ first 13 points. The Knicks threw the first punch in the contest as they opened up a 26-16 lead with three minutes left in the opening quarter. However, Jalen Johnson threw one right back with a thunderous poster dunk on Isaiah Hartenstein, sending the sell-out State Farm Arena crowd into a frenzy. The Knicks exited the first frame with a 35-31 lead, led by R.J. Barrett’s nine points, while Hunter led Atlanta with nine.
Johnson continued his attack on New York on both ends, deflecting passes and scoring in transition. After struggling intensely from beyond the arc in Charlotte, the Hawks connected on five of six threes after starting 0-5 as they took a 50-48 lead. The Knicks consistently held a small lead throughout the second quarter until Brunson became the human torch. He shot 4-6 from beyond the arc for 14 points in the first half to give New York a 69-61 lead heading into halftime. Hunter led Atlanta with 16 points, and Bogdan Bogdanovic chipped in 11 points.
The Hawks did not deliver on either end of the floor for the majority of this game, but the Knicks never pulled away. The third quarter gave Atlanta fans hope. Each time the Knicks tried to extend the lead to double-digits, the Hawks fought back. A.J. Griffin hit a three to tie the game at 90, but the Knicks, having made 20 three’s through three quarters, took a 100-92 lead into the final frame.
New York stretched its lead to 105-94 to begin the fourth quarter with more threes from Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo. However, the Hawks responded with a crucial 10-0 run of their own to cut the lead to 105-104. After a number of back-and-forth scoring possessions, neither team could effectively put the other one away. The Hawks had numerous chances to tie or take the lead with a three, but they could not get a shot to fall. Ultimately, Young and Clint Capela both missed two great looks in crunch time, and New York escaped with the victory, despite the bad turnover’s down the stretch.
Young added 12 assists and three steals to his 18 points, but Hunter led the way for Atlanta with 27 points on 8-13 shooting. Hunter made all eight of his free throws and knocked down 3-7 from beyond the arc. Dejounte Murray added 18 points (8-17 FG), six assists and seven rebounds. Capela produced a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double. Bogdanovic knocked down four three’s for 16 points, and Johnson added 11 points and nine rebounds.
Brunson finished 8-12 from beyond the arc for 31 points and five assists. Barrett scored 26 points (3-5 3FG) and shot an efficient 9-15 from the floor. Julius Randle, a Hawks’ killer for consecutive regular seasons, had 17 points, nine assists and 12 rebounds. DiVincenzo put in 16 points on an efficient 6-10 from the field.
Atlanta’s perimeter defensive issues from last season were on display again during the home opener. The next stop for the Hawks will be Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Sunday, October 29th. They will face the Bucks with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, who scored 39 in his Bucks debut. Atlanta has played well against Milwaukee over the past few seasons, and a hard-fought victory against a tough opponent can energize the Hawks after a rough 0-2 start.
