Knicks dominate Hawks as Karl-Anthony Towns shines with 30 points
- The New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 121-105, emphasizing their dominance in the second quarter.
- With strong performances from Towns, Anunoby, and Bridges, the Knicks improved their record to 9-6 without Brunson.
- This victory further secured the Knicks' third place in the Eastern Conference as they await Brunson's return.
In Atlanta, the New York Knicks faced off against the Atlanta Hawks on April 5, 2025. The game was a showcase of offensive prowess for the Knicks, who managed to outscore the Hawks decisively. Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with an impressive performance, scoring 30 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Noteworthy contributions came from OG Anunoby, who added 24 points, and Mikal Bridges, who chipped in with 20 points. The Knicks solidified their position in the Eastern Conference's third place with their victory, indicating a robust performance as they approach the playoff season. During the game, the Knicks demonstrated considerable shooting efficiency, making 53.6% of their shots from the field and hitting 15 of their 29 attempts from beyond the arc. Their surge was particularly noticeable in the second quarter, where they outscored the Hawks 40-22, giving them a commanding halftime lead of 78-53. This quarter's scoring output marked a crucial turning point, allowing the Knicks to establish a lead that they maintained throughout the game. For the Atlanta Hawks, who have been struggling lately, Trae Young managed to score 16 points, achieving a new franchise record for assists in a season. Young's nine assists during the game pushed him beyond Doc Rivers' longstanding record of 823 assists set in the 1986-87 season. However, despite Young's record-setting achievement, the Hawks suffered their third consecutive loss and fifth in six games, positioning them firmly into the play-in tournament. Amidst the Knicks' success, they are awaiting the return of star point guard Jalen Brunson, who has missed 15 consecutive games due to an ankle injury. Although Brunson participated in pregame warmups, his return date remains uncertain, leading coach Tom Thibodeau to state that they will know when he is ready to play. The Knicks have remained competitive since Brunson's injury, showing resilience with a 9-6 record during his absence. Both teams prepared for their next matchups, with the Knicks scheduled to host the Phoenix Suns and the Hawks set to face the Utah Jazz the following day.