DON’T STOP ’EM NOW
Knicks storm into All-Star break with romp over Hawks
The Knicks hit early. They pounded a rival. They heeded their coach’s advice.
“Don’t take a break before the break,” Tom Thibodeau said.
The Knicks burst into the AllStar break on a high off Wednesday’s 122-101 beatdown of the Hawks, building a 20-point lead in the first quarter before cruising against a quiet Trae Young at State Farm Arena.
And after a rollercoaster four months of the season — which included questions about Thibodeau’s job security — the Knicks (33-27) own their best record at the All-Star break in a decade.
They also moved into sixth in the Eastern Conference because the Heat lost to the Nets. It’s a position that would guarantee a playoff spot, and appease James Dolan’s expectation of a postseason series.
“We’re in a good place,” Jalen Brunson said. “But I think, most importantly, we can get better.”
Wednesday’s marquee matchup was in the backcourt with Jalen Brunson against Young. In the previous two seasons, Young buried the Knicks and enjoyed the fanbase’s hatred. But now the Knicks have a point guard to trade baskets, and Brunson easily outplayed his counterpart with 28 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Young managed just 19 points on 4 of 14 shooting.
Perhaps there were greater consequences to the point-guard matchup. Both Young and Brunson are considered possible All-Star injury replacements if either Jaylen Brown (facial fracture) or DeMar DeRozan (strained hamstring) aren’t available.
Wednesday became a reinforcement that Brunson is more deserving.
In addition to leapfrogging the Heat in the standings, the Knicks created a space of 3 ½ games from
122 101
the eighth seed and the Hawks (29-30), who represent one of the league’s disappointments.
The acquisition of All-Star Dejounte Murray hasn’t worked out as envisioned, and Young has taken a step back with his erratic attitude and spotty defense. In December, Young openly defied coach Nate McMillan and failed to show up at a home game. It led to rumors about McMillan’s ouster and perhaps Young’s relocation.
There haven’t been further reports of turmoil, but the product hasn’t improved on the court. If anything, it’s been worse. On Wednesday, the Hawks were terrible on 3-pointers at 5 for 26. Young and Murray combined at 1 for 10 from beyond the arc.
They took the break before the break. The Knicks were all business.
The visitors hit nine more 3-pointers than the Hawks. They won the rebounding battle, 5540, with backup center Isaiah Hartenstein grabbing 11. They got 25 points and 11 rebounds from Julius Randle. Josh Hart continued his strong start with the Knicks.
They led by double digits for the final 37 minutes.
“We just kept fighting,” Brunson said. “Most importantly, we wanted to make sure we ran to the finish line. It’s human nature to think about the break. But we wanted to finish strong.”