During the Wednesday night NBA slate, the Knicks blew out the Atlanta Hawks 122-101 to move into the All-Star break with their third straight victory. Jalen Brunson had 28 points, Julius Randle had 25, and we’re heading into the All-Star break strong. After improving to 33-27 on the season, the New York Knicks are optimistic about the rest of the regular season.
“There’s still 22 games left,” Knicks forward RJ Barrett said. “We’ve got to stay the course.”
His season average so far is 23.9, averaging 31.5 points over his last 10 games in his first season with the Knicks after signing a $104 million deal in free agency.
“He’s good and he knows he’s good,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “I don’t think anyone is surprised by what he’s doing.”
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks & Atlanta Hawks Updates
The situation does not seem to be satisfactory for Brunson. As soon as the 26-year-old guard heard what his coach said, he pointed out that he had five turnovers.
“Whenever I step on the court, I try to be the best player I can be,” Brunson said. “There’s always ways I can improve, no matter what’s going on, whether I’m playing good or bad.”
As soon as this one got underway, New York took full control. In the first half, the Knicks built a 24-point lead and led by double digits for the remainder of the game. When the Hawks closed within 11 late in the third quarter, it was the only sign of life they showed. Early in the fourth, Josh Hart and Obi Toppin made back-to-back threes from the same corner to push the lead back to 19.
In what has been a hugely disappointing season for the Hawks just two years after reaching the Eastern Conference final, they lost for the second time in a row, dropping their overall record to 29-30. Trae Young scored 19 points on 4-of-14 shooting, but only made one of six shots outside the 3-point line. The Hawks were led by De’Andre Hunter’s 20 points.
“We definitely need a break,” Young said. “I’ve got faith in my team. I’ve got trust that we can make a special run.”
With a 55-40 rebounding edge, the Knicks finished with 11 rebounds from Randle. As the team headed into the All-Star break, Thibodeau worried they would loosen up.
“You don’t want to go on break before the break,” Thibodeau said.
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks & Atlanta Hawks Updates
A mere five minutes into the game, the Hawks were already behind by double digits. The Hawks didn’t get closer than 14 the rest of the opening half after New York stretched its margin to 34-14 late in the first period.
At halftime, the Knicks led 66-44 with a 24-point lead. Brunson and Barrett each scored 12 points in the first two quarters, while Randle had 14. A dominant first half saw the Knicks make 51 percent of their shots, including 9 of 26 from beyond the 3-point line. Before halftime, the Hawks shot just 1 of 15 from beyond the arc.
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