The Atlanta Hawks were back at home Saturday night to face the New York Knicks. It has not been a great week for the Hawks, as they’re currently on a five-game losing streak, with their latest one coming just last night against the Miami Heat.
As for the Knicks, they’ve been playing well this season, and they’ll pose a big problem for the Hawks in the rebounding category with players such as Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson manning the paint.
Advertisement
Onyeka Okongwu started off the game with a three-pointer for the Hawks, which was big for him after being in slump recently.
Trae Young made it hard for Mikal Bridges on the baseline, turning defense into offense and getting a floater on the other end.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker came off the bench and was instant offense per usual.
Asa Newell came in and made a difference for the Hawks, knocking down a three-pointer and getting an and-one.
The Knicks ended up grabbing the lead toward the end of the first, but the Hawks stayed in the fight, only trailing 33-27 going into the second. Okongwu was able to continue his hot three-point shooting and helped tie the game early in the second.
Advertisement
The Knicks kept their lead through the second, and the fouls on the Hawks piled up as Karl-Anthony Towns couldn’t be stopped going to the paint. Luckily for the Hawks, they have a player that can do the same.
The Knicks started to run away with the lead as the quarter continued, going up as much as 14 points. The Hawks tried to shave some points, and Zaccharie Risacher fought on the offensive boards to get a putback.
That wasn’t enough for the Hawks to pull within single digits for long, as the Knicks kept piling up the points. Going into halftime, the Hawks trailed 68-55. Just like it has been for the past few games, coming out at halftime was not good for the Hawks. They did try to make things happen on defense at times, which led to some easy points in transition.
The Hawks trailed by as much as 18 points in the third, and it looked like it could have gotten uglier for them if OG Anunoby’s three-pointer had counted. Midway through the third, the Hawks started a comeback, and Vit Krecji was the one to cut their deficit to single digits.
Young joined in on the fun and got an and-one.
The Knicks still found a way to keep a respectable lead, but there’s no doubt that the Hawks put a dent in their deficit. Going into the fourth, the Hawks trailed the Knicks 98-89.
Advertisement
To start the fourth, the Hawks kept working, and Krejci kept knocking down three-pointers.
Okongwu found Jalen for this cut out of the timeout for an easy flush.
The Hawks did their best to keep their deficit around single digits, but the Knicks did everything in their power to keep the lead. Alexander-Walker came alive in the fourth for the Hawks and knocked some big-time threes.
This one cut their deficit to three points.
It was Okongwu’s turn to bring the Hawks back to life, and he knocked down two three-pointers, one of which gave the Hawks the lead.
The Knicks took the lead back, but the Hawks fought back and took the lead.
With 29 seconds left in the game, Anunoby got fouled and went to the free-throw line, making both and giving the Knicks a 126-125 lead. The Hawks had a chance to take the lead, but they turned the ball over and had to foul once again.
Advertisement
Anunoby once again went to the free-throw line and knocked down both of them again, giving the Knicks a three-point lead with 7.3 seconds left.
Alexander-Walker got a good look at a three, but it rolled out, and the Knicks walked away with the win.
Okongwu finished with 31 points and 14 rebounds, Johnson finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, and 12 assists, and Alexander-Walker finished with 25 points.
The Hawks will be back in action on Monday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.