ATLANTA — Jalen Brunson beat Trae Young at his own long-distance game and RJ Barrett provided ample support because the Knicks avoided an epic collapse in Friday’s 126-120 victory in Atlanta.
Up by seven with about 45 seconds left, the Knicks allowed the Hawks to return inside one near dunk of tying the sport due to consecutive turnovers.
But Atlanta’s Clint Capela couldn’t grip the lob from Young with 17 seconds left, Julius Randle hit a pair of clutch free throws and the Knicks escaped A-town with a crucial road victory.
For a lot of the contest, Young struggled offensively and displayed his usual olé defense.
Brunson countered a career-high with eight treys and finished with a game-high 31 points.
Barrett was an all-around force with 26 points in 34 minutes.
Randle again struggled along with his shot but helped in other ways, namely as a distributor, and fell only one assist in need of a triple-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Unlike Wednesday’s loss to the Celtics, offense wasn’t an issue for the Knicks.
That they had 69 points in the primary half and led for much of the evening, hitting 53 percent of their shots overall and 50 percent of their 3-pointers.
The Knicks’ final 45 seconds were the sloppiest.
Young, meanwhile, rode the struggle bus while getting locked up by Quentin Grimes.
Young had 18 points on just 4-of-16 shooting.
Brunson, coming off a dud opener, was the superior point guard.
His success isn’t a surprise to Hawks coach Quin Snyder, who was powerless to stop the previous Mavericks point guard in his 2022 playoffs with the Jazz.
Brunson took over that series with Luka Doncic injured, paving the best way for his big payday with the Knicks. Snyder left the Jazz soon thereafter.
“Not within the slightest [surprised by Brunson’s ascension]. Starting with when he was in college, just the command that he had over the sport, his understanding is exclusive. Plays along with his feet on the ground. the best way that he alters speeds,” Snyder said. “That series, he was the very best player on the ground when Luka was out and there have been times when he was the very best player on the ground when Luka was in. That’s only a credit to him. So it was very obvious the extent that he was able to playing and it has shown.”
It was also a redemptive performance from Donte DiVincenzo.
After going scoreless two days earlier in his debut, the backup guard nailed the primary shot of his Knicks profession in the primary quarter and proceeded to cook.
He went 4-for-4 in the primary half and finished with 16 points in 20 minutes.
ATLANTA — Jalen Brunson beat Trae Young at his own long-distance game and RJ Barrett provided ample support because the Knicks avoided an epic collapse in Friday’s 126-120 victory in Atlanta.
Up by seven with about 45 seconds left, the Knicks allowed the Hawks to return inside one near dunk of tying the sport due to consecutive turnovers.
But Atlanta’s Clint Capela couldn’t grip the lob from Young with 17 seconds left, Julius Randle hit a pair of clutch free throws and the Knicks escaped A-town with a crucial road victory.
For a lot of the contest, Young struggled offensively and displayed his usual olé defense.
Brunson countered a career-high with eight treys and finished with a game-high 31 points.
Barrett was an all-around force with 26 points in 34 minutes.
Randle again struggled along with his shot but helped in other ways, namely as a distributor, and fell only one assist in need of a triple-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Unlike Wednesday’s loss to the Celtics, offense wasn’t an issue for the Knicks.
That they had 69 points in the primary half and led for much of the evening, hitting 53 percent of their shots overall and 50 percent of their 3-pointers.
The Knicks’ final 45 seconds were the sloppiest.
Young, meanwhile, rode the struggle bus while getting locked up by Quentin Grimes.
Young had 18 points on just 4-of-16 shooting.
Brunson, coming off a dud opener, was the superior point guard.
His success isn’t a surprise to Hawks coach Quin Snyder, who was powerless to stop the previous Mavericks point guard in his 2022 playoffs with the Jazz.
Brunson took over that series with Luka Doncic injured, paving the best way for his big payday with the Knicks. Snyder left the Jazz soon thereafter.
“Not within the slightest [surprised by Brunson’s ascension]. Starting with when he was in college, just the command that he had over the sport, his understanding is exclusive. Plays along with his feet on the ground. the best way that he alters speeds,” Snyder said. “That series, he was the very best player on the ground when Luka was out and there have been times when he was the very best player on the ground when Luka was in. That’s only a credit to him. So it was very obvious the extent that he was able to playing and it has shown.”
It was also a redemptive performance from Donte DiVincenzo.
After going scoreless two days earlier in his debut, the backup guard nailed the primary shot of his Knicks profession in the primary quarter and proceeded to cook.
He went 4-for-4 in the primary half and finished with 16 points in 20 minutes.
