ATLANTA (Interstat) — The New York Knicks held off a furious second-half rally from the Atlanta Hawks to win 128-125 at State Farm Arena on Saturday night. Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 36 points and 16 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson added 34 points. The Knicks built a 13-point halftime lead but saw it vanish as Atlanta’s Onyeka Okongwu scored 31 points and Jalen Johnson recorded a triple-double with 20 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds. The Hawks outscored New York by 10 in the second half but fell just short. A crowd of 17,809 watched as New York improved to 23-9. Atlanta dropped to 15-18.

ATLANTA (Interstat) — In a game defined by relentless offensive execution and a series of dramatic lead changes, the New York Knicks outlasted the Atlanta Hawks 128-125 on Saturday night at State Farm Arena. The contest, played before a crowd of 17,809, saw the Knicks improve to 23-9 while the Hawks fell to 15-18. The combined score of 253 points surpassed the pregame over/under line of 245.5, though New York failed to cover the 5.5-point spread as the favorite. The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final minute. With the Knicks clinging to a one-point lead, Jalen Brunson lost possession to Nickeil Alexander-Walker with 51.4 seconds remaining. Alexander-Walker converted a running layup that was ruled a defensive goaltending violation on OG Anunoby, a call upheld after a referee-initiated review, giving Atlanta a 125-124 advantage. On the ensuing possession, Brunson missed a step-back jumper, but Anunoby secured the offensive rebound and was fouled by Onyeka Okongwu with 29.6 seconds left. Anunoby calmly sank both free throws to put New York back in front 126-125. Atlanta called a timeout to advance the ball, but Trae Young’s inbound pass was intercepted by Anunoby. Fouled immediately, Anunoby again made both free throws, extending the lead to three. The Hawks had one final chance, but Alexander-Walker’s contested 3-point attempt from the top of the arc missed, and Anunoby secured the defensive rebound as time expired. The game was a showcase for the Knicks’ star duo. Karl-Anthony Towns, the top performer for New York, dominated with 36 points and 16 rebounds. Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 34 points and added five assists. Their efforts were complemented by Anunoby’s 15 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, and a crucial 13-point, eight-rebound performance from rookie Kevin McCullar. Atlanta’s effort was spearheaded by a career night from Onyeka Okongwu, who poured in 31 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Jalen Johnson recorded a near triple-double with 20 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists. Alexander-Walker provided a vital scoring punch off the bench with 25 points, while Dyson Daniels filled the stat sheet with 13 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. The Knicks established control early, leading 33-27 after the first quarter and extending their advantage to 68-55 at halftime behind efficient scoring from Towns and Brunson. Atlanta responded with a fierce third-quarter rally, outscoring New York 34-30 behind hot shooting from Okongwu and Johnson to cut the deficit to nine entering the final period. The Hawks’ momentum carried into the fourth, where they eventually erased the Knicks’ lead entirely. The teams traded baskets and the lead multiple times in a tense final five minutes, setting the stage for the frantic closing sequence secured by Anunoby’s poise at the line. New York’s victory continued a strong stretch for the team, which has now won four of its last five games. For Atlanta, the narrow loss marked another frustrating result in a season filled with close defeats. The Knicks continue their road trip Monday in New Orleans, while the Hawks travel to face Oklahoma City on Monday. The two teams will meet again in New York on Jan. 2.

Preview: Surging Knicks Visit Hawks in Atlanta Showdown ATLANTA (Interstat) — The surging New York Knicks, led by an All-NBA caliber stretch from guard Jalen Brunson, visit the struggling Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on Saturday. New York (22-9) enters on a high after a thrilling 126-124 Christmas Day victory over Cleveland, its ninth win in the last 11 games. Brunson was spectacular in that win, scoring 34 points, and has been the engine of the Knicks’ success. Over his last 10 games, he is averaging 31.8 points and 6.6 assists, including a 47-point outburst against Miami on Dec. 21. The Hawks (15-16), however, have lost five of their last six, including a 126-123 home loss to Chicago on Tuesday. Despite the team’s slump, forward Jalen Johnson has been a consistent triple-double threat, averaging 24.2 points, 11.7 rebounds and 9.9 assists over the same 10-game span. His playmaking will be critical against a tough Knicks defense. The matchup pits two of the league’s hottest individual performers against one another. Brunson’s scoring efficiency and control of the Knicks’ offense will test an Atlanta defense allowing 124.3 points per game during its recent 1-5 skid. Conversely, Johnson’s unique blend of size and playmaking will challenge a New York frontcourt that has been vulnerable at times. The Knicks have shown resilience in close games, with three of their last five wins coming by three points or fewer. The Hawks have been in high-scoring contests but have repeatedly fallen short, with three of their last five losses by four points or less. This game is the first of a home-and-home set between the teams, who will meet again at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 2. Following Saturday’s contest, the Knicks continue a road trip in New Orleans on Monday. The Hawks embark on a road trip to Oklahoma City the same night.