Julius Randle scored a season-high 44 points, and the New York Knicks went on a 19-5 run in the third quarter to beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-112.
The Hawks went on a 20-8 run to lead 81-74 with 6:32 left in the third quarter. Elfrid Payton’s 2 free throws put the Knicks ahead for good with 3:42 left in the quarter. He scored 8 points during the run, and they led 93-86 with 1:09 left in the quarter.
The Hawks got within 101-100 on Danilo Gallinari’s 2 free throws with 8:39 to play, but Immanuel Quickley answered with a 3-pointer, and the Hawks got no closer than 104-102.
During clutch time, the Knicks outscored the Hawks 13-5. RJ Barrett scored 6 of the Knicks’ 13 on 2 for 2 shooting. Late in the fourth quarter, Quickley had 4 of his 5 assists off the bench, all with the game within 5 points.
Barrett scored 21 points.
For the Hawks, Trae Young had 23 points (11 in the second quarter) and 8 assists but shot 6 for 19, and Kevin Huerter went 1 for 9 from 3. Clint Capela had 15 points (14 in the paint) and 18 rebounds.
The Knicks shot 50.6% from the field and 50.0% from 3 to the Hawks’ 42.4% and 33.3%.