Photo Credit: Michelle Farsi/Getty Images
NEW YORK, N.Y.– The Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks have underachieved this season after going head to head in last year’s playoffs. In their final meeting of the 2021-22 season, it was the Hawks who secured the 117-111 win.
Trae Young returned to Madison Square Garden for the first time since the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Young started slow offensively to start the game. However, Bogdan Bogdanovic helped boost him up with a half-court pass leading to a layup before the end of the first quarter.
It was just the beginning of what was to come for the duo.
The Knicks would lead by 12, which was their largest of the game. However, the Hawks would go on a 34-16 run led by the duo of Young and Bogdanovic, which made it look that Atlanta took control of the game. It wasn’t the case, as the Knicks would not back down. With 44.6 seconds left in the third quarter, they took back the lead by a made Alec Burks shot to make it 85-83.
Young started on the bench in the fourth quarter. The Knicks saw this as an opportunity to build their lead. New York would go on a 7-0 run as Atlanta would go cold from the field. Once Young was checked in, the duo of Young and Bogdanovic came alive late in the quarter. A made three by Young tied the game at 105-105. Which then progressed to a made three in the next possession by Bogdanovic to take back the lead.
The duo of Young and Bogdanovic would make a combined 77 points.
Atlanta (40-81) and New York (42-86) would finish shooting 49% from the field.
The Knicks would struggle from the free-throw line shooting just 54% (14-26).
Public Enemy #1
It is no secret that Knicks fans have strong feelings against Young. Hawks head coach Nate McMillan spoke about his star returning to MSG. He would say, “he lives for these moments, this type of challenge.” McMillan was not wrong. Young finished the night with 45 points, eight assists, and one rebound. It was a career-high at Madison Square Garden for the 23-year-old as he once again silenced the crowd.
His partner in crime, Bogdanovic, would put up 32 points in his teammate’s return game.
Short-Handed Knicks
The Knicks were without Julius Randle (quadriceps tendon) and needed a big push on offense. As a result, RJ Barrett provided just that. Barrett finished the night with a double-double as he put up 30 points with 13 rebounds. Despite his stellar performance, it wasn’t enough. Four of the five starters for the Knicks finished in double figures in scoring. One of them was Obi Toppin, who started in place of Randle. Toppin finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Immanuel Quickly contributed to the team by putting up 17 points off the bench.
Up Next
The New York Knicks return to action on Wednesday, March 23, to face the Charlotte Hornets at 7 p.m. EST.
The Atlanta Hawks will face the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, March 23, at 7 p.m. EST.
