By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Shooting nearly 70% most of the way, the New York Knicks cruised past the Atlanta Hawks, 121-105, in State Farm Arena.
On the wrong end of the NBA Saturdays opener, the team coached by Quin Snyder fell to 36-41 in the 2024-25 Regular Season and locked in the 2025 SoFi Play-In Tournament. Therefore, the Milwaukee Bucks clinched the last remaining direct ticket to the Playoffs presented by Google of the Eastern Conference.
Already in the Playoffs and all but securing the third seed on the East bracket, the Knicks jumped to 49-28 to build a distance of three games from the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers. Extending a brilliant stretch, British O.G. Anunoby was among six double-digit scorers with 24 points to go with four assists, four rebounds, three blocks, and one steal.
Dealing with a right ankle sprain, Jalen Brunson missed his 16th straight game but practiced with his teammates in Atlanta and is expected to play on NBA Sundays. Completing a back-to-back, Tom Thibodeau’s side will host the Phoenix Suns in Madison Square Garden.
On the injury list since left knee surgery in late February, German Ariel Hukporti is instead projected to remain sidelined for the remainder of the season. Another European option for the Knicks, French Pacome Dadiet stayed on the bench on Saturday.
In a disappointing team display for the Hawks, French Zaccharie Risacher settled at 12 points, four rebounds, one block, and one assist. Czech Vit Krejci had eight points, three rebounds, one block, and one assist. Swiss Clint Capela (left fourth metacarpal ligament strain) remained sidelined.