Atlanta HawksOpen full analysis
New York KnicksOpen full analysis
The New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 113–102 on April 18 at Madison Square Garden, maintaining control with balanced scoring and stout perimeter defense. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 28 points while Karl-Anthony Towns added 25, as New York shot 47.5 percent from the field and made 12 three-pointers to stay well below the 217.5-point Vegas total. Atlanta's Clint McCollum scored 26 and De'Andre Hunter chipped in 23, but the Hawks' 14 made threes couldn't overcome a sluggish third quarter in which they managed just 19 points. The Knicks' defense was particularly suffocating in the middle quarters, holding Atlanta to 19 points in the third while outrebounding them 45–40 and forcing 12 turnovers. New York's 115.1 offensive rating and 102.7 defensive rating underscored their efficiency advantage, while the Hawks' 25 assists showed their ball movement couldn't translate into consistent scoring. The victory bolsters New York's postseason positioning as the Knicks look to sustain momentum in the playoff race.
