Atlanta HawksOpen full analysis
New York KnicksOpen full analysis
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the New York Knicks 111–99 on January 2, 2026, at Madison Square Garden, with the visitors' balanced scoring and efficient shooting overwhelming the home team. Okongwu and Alexander-Walker each scored 23 points for Atlanta, which shot 47.7 percent from the field and made 12 three-pointers, while Brunson led the Knicks with 24 points in a losing effort. New York struggled offensively, connecting on just 37.1 percent of its attempts and making only 9 threes, posting a 93.2 offensive rating compared to Atlanta's 107.8. The Hawks' third quarter proved decisive—they outscored the Knicks 34–23 in that frame to build separation—and Atlanta's 31 assists and 12 steals demonstrated superior ball movement and perimeter defense. Despite the Knicks' 27 assists and 8 steals, turnovers were nearly even at 14 for New York and 13 for Atlanta, and the game finished well below the Vegas total of 239.5. The result sends Atlanta to the midseason stretch with momentum while New York faces questions about offensive consistency heading into the second half.
