New York’s 128-125 win over Atlanta on Saturday, December 27, 2025 was decided in the closing seconds at State Farm Arena, with the action building from early Knicks control into a frantic finish.

The game began at 11:06 PM local time, and it turned into a tug-of-war where New York’s rebounding edge and free-throw volume kept them in front even as Atlanta repeatedly threatened to steal it late.

Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a season-high 36 points and 16 rebounds, dominating the timeline and match player stats, while Jalen Brunson added 34 to anchor the Knicks through momentum swings.

READ: Chicago Bulls vs Detroit Pistons Timeline and Match Player Stats (124-113)

Timeline Overview

Game Phase	What Happened	Snapshot
Early (Q1)	Fast pace, quick threes, Knicks settle in	Knicks edge after one
Middle (Q2–Q3)	New York controls glass and builds cushion	Knicks lead grows
Late (Q4)	Hawks surge, briefly take lead, Knicks close at line	NYK survive 128-125

• Towns and Brunson set the tone early

• The Knicks’ rebounding advantage shaped the middle quarters

• Atlanta’s late push made it a one-possession thriller

First Half: Knicks punch first, Hawks hang around

Atlanta’s energy showed early through Onyeka Okongwu’s outside shooting and Jalen Johnson’s playmaking.

New York countered by feeding Towns and letting Brunson dictate tempo in the half court.

The Knicks began stacking extra possessions with offensive rebounds, and Towns kept cashing in at the line as the physicality increased.

Even when Atlanta trimmed the gap with timely threes, New York’s ability to reset possessions and get to free throws helped keep the Knicks in control by halftime.

• Okongwu’s shooting sparked early Atlanta runs

• New York leaned on rebounds and free throws

• Brunson stabilized the offense when pace spiked

Third Quarter: Knicks extend, Hawks search for answers

The third period tilted toward New York as Brunson hit jumpers to stop mini-runs and Towns stayed active on the glass.

Atlanta continued to generate good looks, but empty trips and turnovers slowed any sustained comeback.

By the time the fourth arrived, the Hawks needed urgency, and they found it through defensive pressure and transition chances.

• Knicks maintained composure through the middle stretch

• Atlanta’s margin for error shrank with each empty possession

• The rebound gap remained a constant problem for the Hawks

Fourth Quarter: Wild finish, Knicks close it out

Atlanta finally cracked the door open with a late surge that included a steal-and-score from Nickeil Alexander-Walker to briefly grab a 125-124 lead with 48 seconds left.

New York answered immediately as OG Anunoby hit free throws to reclaim the lead, then came up with a decisive steal off Trae Young’s pass and added two more at the line.

The Hawks still had chances to tie, but New York’s defense forced rushed execution and the Knicks escaped with a three-point win.

• Atlanta briefly led in the final minute

• Anunoby’s free throws and steal flipped the ending

• Towns and Brunson carried the scoring load throughout

Tables

Final Score

Team	Final
New York Knicks	128
Atlanta Hawks	125

Match Player Stats Comparison

Stat	Knicks	Hawks
Field Goals	43-95 (45.3%)	43-89 (48.3%)
3PT	15-43 (34.9%)	17-43 (39.5%)
Free Throws	27-32 (84.4%)	22-27 (81.5%)
Rebounds	55	37
Assists	27	33
Turnovers	12	11

Top Performers

Team	Player	Key Line
Knicks	Karl-Anthony Towns	36 PTS, 16 REB, 17-18 FT
Knicks	Jalen Brunson	34 PTS, 15-29 FG, 4-11 3PT
Hawks	Onyeka Okongwu	31 PTS, 14 REB, 6-10 3PT
Hawks	Jalen Johnson	20 PTS, 12 AST, 9 REB
Hawks	Nickeil Alexander-Walker	25 PTS, 5-12 3PT

Late-Game Timeline (Q4 key swings)

Time (Q4)	Play	Score Impact
0:49	Alexander-Walker layup after steal	ATL leads 125-124
0:30	Anunoby two free throws	NYK leads 126-125
0:10–0:07	Young turnover, Anunoby steal, more FTs	NYK closes to 128-125

Rebounding Edge Spotlight

Category	Knicks	Hawks
Offensive Rebounds	19	9
Defensive Rebounds	36	28
Total Rebounds	55	37

Atlanta Hawks vs Knicks Timeline and Match Player Stats Review