New York KnicksOpen full analysis
Atlanta HawksOpen full analysis
The New York Knicks edged the Atlanta Hawks 128–125 on December 27 at State Farm Arena in a closely contested matchup that fell short of the Vegas total of 244.5. Karl-Anthony Towns led New York with 36 points while Jalen Brunson added 34, combining for 70 points as the Knicks' offense generated a 125.4 rating despite shooting 45.3 percent from the field. Atlanta countered with Onyeka Okongwu's 31 points and Naji Alexander-Walker's 25, but the Hawks' 48.3 field-goal percentage and 17 three-pointers made proved insufficient. The Knicks dominated the glass with 55 rebounds to Atlanta's 37 and forced nine steals, though both teams struggled with turnovers—New York committed 12 to Atlanta's 11. The Hawks' fourth quarter proved their undoing, scoring 36 points but unable to overcome the Knicks' balanced second-quarter output of 35 points. New York's superior defensive rating of 121.5 versus Atlanta's 125.4 proved the difference in a low-scoring final period that decided the contest. The victory keeps the Knicks' playoff positioning intact while Atlanta faces continued inconsistency.
