The Knicks got revenge on Trae Young and the Hawks.
Behind Jalen Brunson's 34 points, New York finished the MLK Day matinee at MSG with a 119-110 victory, ugly, physical and full of frustration with the officiating, but still after the final buzzer sounded. was a satisfying victory.
The Knicks (28-16), who are rebuilding after last week's loss to the Timberwolves, benefited from two days off and finally showed their offensive flair in the second half.
Brunson was the catalyst, making 12 of 18 in 39 minutes, and backcourt mate Mikal Bridges was a good fit as No. 2.
Bridges was the main defenseman for Young, who gave up 26 points and scored 27 points, but was silent like a little mouse when it mattered most.
In the fourth quarter, Young was 1-of-8, with just four points and three turnovers. Miles McBride and OG Anunoby also defended Young in the fourth quarter.
It was Young's first game against the Hawks since Dec. 16, when he pretended to roll the dice on the infamous MSG midcourt logo in a win over the Knicks.
That game and that moment served as an indictment of the Knicks' lack of toughness and identity compared to last season's team.
It also further cemented Young's role as the No. 1 enemy for Knicks fans, who were once again met with jeers every time Young held a rock or made an announcement over the loudspeaker. In the first half, it looked like the Villains might win again when Young scored 18 points with four assists.
But the Knicks turned the tide in the third quarter, riding Branson Bridge's backcourt and turning a five-point halftime deficit into a five-point advantage heading into the final period.
Karl-Anthony Towns returned from a two-game absence due to a sprain that involved a bone fragment in his thumb, an injury that required him to tape his thumb.
He finished with 13 points, but made just 5-of-18 shots, including 1-of-6 shooting.
Cam Payne came off the bench again and scored 10 points in just 12 minutes.
He received a technical foul for yelling near the referee and was ejected in the fourth quarter.
The Knicks improved to 1-2 against the Hawks this season, but will not play the Hawks again until April 5th.
“They're tall, athletic, skilled and built around Trey and the way he plays and the attention he commands,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “That's why it's important to be able to do that. There are times when you can defend him well, and he still has the ability to make shots. But it's also his play. When you overcommit, they put pressure on the rim. He's coming, so you have to be able to read what he's doing with the ball.”
