Field Level Media
Feb 15, 2023
Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle combined for 53 points to help the visiting New York Knicks overpower the Atlanta Hawks 122-101 on Wednesday to take a three-game winning streak into the All-Star break.
Brunson scored 28 points on 10-for-19 shooting with nine rebounds and five assists. Randle had 25 points, 12 in the first quarter, with 11 rebounds for his 29th double-double, the most by a player in the Eastern Conference.
New York, which has won five of its last six games, outscored Atlanta 37-21 in the first quarter and was never threatened. The Knicks evened the season series with the Hawks at two games apiece and extended their lead over Atlanta in the Eastern Conference to 3 1/2 games.
New York also got 17 points from R.J. Barrett, 14 points from Immanuel Quickley and 13 points from Josh Hart.
Atlanta was paced by De'Andre Hunter with 20 points, Trae Young with 19 points and 11 assists, and 12 points from reserve A.J. Griffin.
The Knicks extended their streak of scoring 100 points to 36 games, the longest active streak in the NBA. Atlanta stretched its 100-point streak to 34.
Atlanta's John Collins banged heads with Randle in the third quarter and was taken to the locker room. Collins, who had missed the last game with a sore hip, did not return to the game for a concussion evaluation. He wasn't the only Atlanta casualty: Dejounte Murray took an elbow and required a stitch on his lip, but returned to the game.
The Knicks never trailed, led by as many as 24 and settled for a 66-44 lead at halftime. New York made nine 3-pointers in the first half, compared to only one for Atlanta. The Hawks cut the lead to 11 points in the third quarter, but the Knicks took a 91-76 into the fourth quarter.
Atlanta plays again on Feb. 24 when it opens a four-game homestand against Cleveland. New York plays again Feb. 24 at Washington.
--Field Level Media