Tuesday night (05) was quite complicated for the New York Knicks. Without the presence of their stars Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, the New York team did not show strength and ended up being defeated at home by the Atlanta Hawks 116-100 at Madison Square Garden.
Even with the absence of their main star, Trae Young, the Hawks managed to produce a great collective performance of physical imposition against New York’s defense. Wing Jalen Johnson was the scorer of the match with 26 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 38 minutes, while DeAndre Hunter came off the bench to score 22 points and three rebounds in just 25 minutes. Additionally, Dejounte Murray contributed 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists in 37 minutes.
On a difficult night from the three-point line with just 16 baskets in 52 attempts, the Knicks struggled to score due to their own mistakes. Guard Donte DiVincenzo was the team’s top scorer with 21 points, six assists and four rebounds, while Bogdan Bogdanovic contributed 19 points and three rebounds off the bench. Finally, Precious Achiuwa scored 15 points and six rebounds in 24 minutes.
Jalen Johnson tonight:
26 PTS
8 REB
7 AST (1 TOV)
12-17 FG
MIP? https://t.co/SLaW8Qj8sO
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 6, 2024Hawks and Knicks status in the NBA season
With Tuesday’s victory, the Atlanta Hawks ended the sequence of two setbacks and reached 27 wins and 34 losses this season, occupying tenth place in the Eastern Conference. The team returns to the court this Wednesday (06), at home, against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With seven setbacks in the last ten games, the New York Knicks lost their weight in the Eastern Conference table and were overtaken by the Orlando Magic, now occupying fifth place with 36 wins and 26 losses. The team’s next commitment will be next Friday, at home, against Magic.
