The Atlanta Hawks, riding the momentum of a three-game winning streak, aim to remain unbeaten against the New York Knicks as they face off on Monday afternoon in New York.
Recent Form
- Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks have won four of their last five games, including a thrilling 119-115 overtime victory against the Boston Celtics on Saturday.
- New York Knicks: The Knicks, on the other hand, have struggled lately, losing six of their last nine games, including a 116-99 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
Head-to-Head
- The Hawks have been dominant in the recent matchups, winning the last three and holding a 2-0 lead in the head-to-head series against the Knicks this season.
Key Players
- Atlanta Hawks:
- Jalen Johnson: Returned to the lineup after missing five games with shoulder soreness, contributing 14 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists in nearly 38 minutes.
- Trae Young: Scored 28 points and dished out 11 assists against the Celtics after returning from a sore ribs injury.
- De’Andre Hunter: Also back from a two-game absence due to a sore left foot, adding to the Hawks’ strength.
- Daeqwon Plowden: Played a significant role in his NBA debut on Wednesday with 19 points and five 3-pointers but did not play on Saturday.
- New York Knicks:
- Karl-Anthony Towns: Missed the last two games with a sprained right thumb. He has been a key player against the Hawks this season, averaging 25.4 points and 13.9 rebounds.
Three-Point Defense
Both teams have struggled to defend the three-point line. Atlanta allows a league-worst 15.2 three-pointers per game, while the Knicks are not far behind, allowing 13.8 per game, ranking 22nd. Both teams allow opponents to shoot 37.8% from beyond the arc, tied for 26th in the NBA.
Matchup Insight
As the Hawks look to extend their winning streak and maintain their strong form against the Knicks, the return of key players like Jalen Johnson and De’Andre Hunter boosts their chances. Meanwhile, the Knicks will need to improve their three-point defense and hope for a timely return of Karl-Anthony Towns to turn their fortunes around.
