Knicks Look to Keep Rolling as They Face the Hawks in an Eastern Conference Matchup
The New York Knicks will head south to take on the Atlanta Hawks tomorrow night in what shapes up to be an intriguing Eastern Conference clash at State Farm Arena. New York enters the game with a strong 21–9 record, second in the East, and riding high after a thrilling Christmas Day victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks overcame a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 126–124. With Jalen Brunson’s 34-point night and strong contributions from Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Kolek, the Knicks showcased their depth and resilience.
The Hawks, currently 15–16 and fighting for consistency, present a different test. Atlanta’s season has fluctuated, marked by ups like Jalen Johnson’s 41-point, 14-rebound performance in a double-OT win over the 76ers, and downs, including a recent blowout loss to the Spurs, where they were defeated 126–98 amid absences and offensive struggles. Atlanta’s all-star point guard Trae Young remains the focal point of their offense. Young is averaging strong assist numbers and is capable of taking over games, but the Hawks have yet to find the level of consistency that puts them firmly in playoff positioning.
When these teams last met during the 2024–25 season, the Knicks came away with a convincing 121–105 victory, powered by a balanced attack and efficient scoring from all starters, particularly Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby. Trae Young had a quieter night with 16 points, and Atlanta struggled to keep pace as New York shot lights out early and maintained control throughout. That game underscored the Knicks’ ability to combine elite scoring with disciplined defense, a formula they’ll look to replicate tomorrow.
For New York, Brunson is the clear leader, averaging near 30 points and anchoring the Knicks’ offense with scoring and playmaking every night. His recent hot stretch, including a season-high 47 points against Miami, highlights his MVP-caliber impact. Behind him, Towns remains a two-way force on both ends of the floor, while Mikal Bridges and Clarkson, plus a developing bench, provide an additional scoring punch. Even as the Knicks navigate minor injury questions, such as the status of guard Miles McBride, listed as game time decision, their firepower across the roster gives them a balanced attack that can adjust to Atlanta’s schemes.
Atlanta will rely heavily on Young’s creation and Johnson’s versatility to keep pace with New York’s offense. Johnson’s all-around game, scoring, rebounding, and creating for others, makes him a matchup problem, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker and others will need to knock down shots to prevent New York from tightening its defensive grip. The Hawks’ recent struggles against stronger competition, combined with a tough defensive assignment against Brunson and Towns, means Atlanta must find stops early and capitalize in transition if they hope to surprise the Knicks in front of their home crowd. Overall, this matchup pits a balanced, confident Knicks team against a Hawks team looking for momentum. History and recent form favor New York, but Atlanta’s ability to light up the scoreboard and keep games close means nothing will come easy. Expect a competitive game where star play and coaching adjustments could determine the winner.
