The New York Knicks stood firm against a physical opponent for the first time in a long time.
Tom Thibodeau’s basketball team miserably failed the physicality test the Atlanta Hawks put them through over a month ago in the NBA Cup, which shocked fans, considering last year’s squad thrived in that area. This time, however, the Knicks prevailed, 119-110, in the Martin Luther King Jr. matinee at Madison Square Garden.
Jan. 20, 2025: Final
Back to basics
Unlike the previous handful of games, the Knicks got back to basics. Their effort level was raised, and their attention to detail was transparent.
New York started this one at least respectably on the defensive end of the floor. After giving up 60 points to the explosive Trae Young-led Hawks in the first half, the Knicks started the second half down eight points.
Still, we’re grading on a curve here. Atlanta’s offensive efficiency for the game was extremely strong, as it shot 47.1% from the floor and 43.3% from 3-point land. Young led his team with 27 points on 8 of 22 shooting and a better 6 of 12 from downtown.
As good as the modern Knicks’ villain was, his counterpart was better.
Brunson leads, KAT returns, Bridges complements
Jalen Brunson led his team yet again. Each time the Knicks need a leader, their point guard captain is usually there to take the call.
Brunson’s 34 points were the game’s high (12-18). He took just five 3-pointers but made three of them, and he drained 7 of 11 from the charity stripe.
It was a good thing Brunson shot well because the man who returned to the lineup showcased significant rust.
After missing the last three games via injury, Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns returned to the hardwood. Scoring just 13 points in 37 minutes, Towns did lead his team with 9 rebounds, but he also shot a dreadful 5-18 from the floor (including 1-6 from 3).
Swingman Mikal Bridges picked up the slack. One of the Villanova three has been aiming his shot in patches in the Knicks’ last handful of games, but that wasn’t the case on MLK Day.
Nailing 12 of 17 attempts, Bridges added a crucial 27 points for the Knicks. Perhaps even more impressive was his perimeter defense and overall activity level—something of note as this was the first game in a long time the Knicks enjoyed two rest days prior to tip-off.
New York’s monster run came in the third quarter when they outscored Atlanta 40-27. It wasn’t until Towns hit a 3 with 5:52 remaining in the game—extending the Knicks’ lead to 10, 110-100—that the Garden faithful could finally exhale a bit.
Next for the Knicks
New York’s victory snaps the Hawks’ three-game winning streak, but it also revives hope in a team’s core identity. Without the likes of Isaiah Hartenstein, Donte DiVincenzo, and Mitchell Robinson, is this squad capable of digging deep?
Do they have what it takes to outlast an opponent when the game becomes physical?
Up until MLK Day, the answer to that question had been no. After this performance, things look a little sunnier. Perhaps Robinson’s return can immediately bring all the pieces together seamlessly.
Next up for the 28-16 New York Knicks—who remain two games back of the Boston Celtics—will be a local clash against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night. The quick turnaround is slated to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET from the Barclays Center.