Shorthanded Knicks come out flat towards Hawks in brutal loss
This was no solution to begin the brand new yr.
The Knicks got here out flatter than a pancake for his or her first recreation of 2026 and produced certainly one of their worst performances of the season.
For what ought to have been the final possession of the primary half, Jalen Brunson, who was below no stress from the protection, was too gradual strolling the ball up the courtroom and was referred to as for an eight-second violation.
That lack of focus and unforced error was an ideal encapsulation of their uninspiring displaying because the Knicks fell, 111-99, to the Hawks on Friday night time at Madison Sq. Backyard.
They had been shorthanded, with a significant gap at middle with out Karl-Anthony Cities (sickness) and Mitchell Robinson (load administration).
They usually had been nonetheless with out Josh Hart (ankle) and Landry Shamet (shoulder).
It actually confirmed.
The Knicks, after a three-game win streak, have now dropped two straight forward of a tricky back-to-back with the 76ers coming to city on Saturday.
And since their NBA Cup triumph, they’re simply 5-4.
They confirmed extra life within the fourth quarter — they began the quarter on an 11-0 run to chop their deficit to 13 and supply the MSG crowd with some juice.
However two straight threes from Luke Kennard re-established a 19-point Hawks lead.
The Knicks lower the deficit to 11 with just below 4 minutes left and 9 with 1:29 left, however by no means bought nearer.
