The regular-season meeting between the Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks took place on Monday night (20 January 2025), tipping off in the evening as part of the NBA’s midweek slate.
New York left Atlanta with a 119–110 victory, built on another dominant scoring performance from Jalen Brunson.
The result pushed the Knicks to 28–16 on the season, while the Hawks dropped to 22–20 and saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.
Brunson finished with 34 points, marking the 68th time he has scored 30 or more points during his Knicks career.
• Monday night regular-season matchup.
• Knicks won 119–110 on the road.
• Brunson scored 34 points.
First-Quarter Timeline and Opening Flow
The opening quarter established a fast-paced and offense-first tone, with both teams scoring efficiently from the outset.
Atlanta moved the ball well and found open shooters, while New York leaned on Brunson’s ability to create shots in isolation and off movement.
Mikal Bridges quickly became a secondary scoring option for the Knicks, attacking gaps in the defense and converting from the perimeter.
Neither team was able to create meaningful separation, keeping the score tight through the early stages.
| Period | Key Events | Game State |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Balanced scoring and pace | Even contest |
• Strong offensive rhythm early.
• Hawks effective ball movement.
• Knicks answered with shot creation.
Second-Quarter Adjustments and Momentum
New York began to gain traction in the second quarter by tightening its perimeter defense and forcing tougher looks.
Josh Hart, playing after suffering a cervical compression in the neck in the previous game, provided physicality, rebounding, and timely scoring.
Atlanta continued to shoot efficiently, but the Knicks began to string together defensive stops that shifted momentum.
Brunson remained aggressive, repeatedly getting into the paint and drawing defenders to open space for teammates.
| Period | Key Contributions | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Q2 | Hart energy, Brunson scoring | Knicks edge ahead |
• Knicks improved defensive pressure.
• Hart made an impactful return.
• Brunson controlled tempo.
Third-Quarter Scoring Exchanges
The third quarter saw both teams trade runs, with Atlanta refusing to let the game slip away.
Trae Young led the Hawks’ response, finishing the night with 27 points and guiding an offense that placed seven players in double figures.
De’Andre Hunter continued to provide a lift off the bench, scoring 22 points and keeping Atlanta competitive.
Karl-Anthony Towns showed rust in his return from a sprained right thumb, but still contributed rebounds and playmaking despite inefficient shooting.
| Period | Notable Plays | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Q3 | Young orchestrates, Hunter scores | Hawks stay close |
• Hawks maintained offensive efficiency.
• Knicks relied on depth scoring.
• Game remained within reach.
Fourth-Quarter Timeline and Decisive Stretch
The turning point arrived midway through the fourth quarter during a critical 16-second sequence.
Brunson converted a backdoor layup to give New York a 107–100 lead, then immediately drew a charge on the defensive end against Dyson Daniels.
Moments later, Towns knocked down a three-pointer with 5:52 remaining to extend the lead to 110–100.
From there, the Knicks managed the game effectively, limiting transition opportunities and closing out possessions.
Daniels, who entered the game leading the NBA in steals, recorded three but was unable to swing momentum late.
| Time | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mid Q4 | Brunson layup and charge | Knicks seize control |
| 5:52 | Towns three-pointer | Lead extended |
| Final minutes | Clock management | Knicks secure win |
• Brunson delivered in clutch moments.
• Knicks closed the game calmly.
• Hawks unable to force a late rally.
What Comes Next
The Knicks will cross the East River for an interborough matchup with the Nets on Tuesday night, marking Mikal Bridges’ first game at Barclays Center since last summer’s blockbuster trade.
Atlanta will look to rebound quickly when it hosts the Pistons on Wednesday night as the season schedule continues.
• Knicks face the Nets next.
• Hawks host the Pistons.
• Both teams remain in playoff contention.