The Knicks vs Hawks clash tonight at State Farm Arena promises high-octane basketball as both teams aim to gain momentum in the final stretch of the NBA season. With Jalen Brunson and Mitchell Robinson ruled out for New York, the Knicks will need to dig deep to overcome a talented Hawks squad led by Trae Young.
🏀 Knicks vs Hawks: Official Starting Lineups
Atlanta Hawks Starting Five:
- G – Trae Young
- G – Dyson Daniels
- F – Zaccharie Risacher
- F – Mouhamed Gueye
- C – Onyeka Okongwu
New York Knicks Starting Five:
- G – Delon Wright
- G – Josh Hart
- F – Mikal Bridges
- F – O.G. Anunoby
- C – Karl-Anthony Towns
With Brunson sidelined, Delon Wright steps into a critical role, likely matched up against Trae Young, who has a history of lighting up the Knicks.
📊 Knicks vs Hawks: Team Stats and Insights
According to our in-depth preview by Rohan Raman, the Hawks enter this matchup ranking:
- 5th in the NBA in PPG
- 14th in FG%
- 1st in Free Throw Attempts
- 26th in turnovers
Defensively, Atlanta is struggling:
- 27th in PPG allowed
- 28th in FG% allowed
- 28th in 3PT% allowed
Meanwhile, the Knicks boast a strong offensive profile, ranked:
- 9th in PPG
- 4th in FG%
- 10th in 3PT%
- 5th in points per 100 possessions (per Cleaning the Glass)
However, their perimeter defense remains suspect, allowing teams to capitalize beyond the arc.
🔥 Player Spotlight: Trae Young vs Knicks Defense
No Knicks vs Hawks preview is complete without mentioning Trae Young, who thrives against New York. In his last outing against the Knicks, Young dropped 38 points and 19 assists. While his season-long True Shooting % (TS%) is 56.4%, his lowest since his rookie year, Young remains a nightly double-double threat.
Expect Delon Wright to defend Young—Wright is a capable on-ball defender, but stopping Trae is another story entirely.
🚨 Watch Out for Zaccharie Risacher
Zaccharie Risacher had a 36-point explosion against Milwaukee but has cooled off in the past two games. Still, he’s shown flashes against the Knicks, including a 33-point, 6-three performance earlier this season. New York’s weaker perimeter defense could be his bounce-back opportunity.
🔁 Bench Battle: Advantage Hawks
Depth could play a pivotal role in this Knicks vs Hawks matchup. The Hawks’ second unit—featuring Caris LeVert and Georges Niang—has a clear edge, especially with Deuce McBride ruled out for New York. Expect Atlanta’s bench to be a difference-maker, especially if the starters struggle to find rhythm early.
🧠 Keys to the Game: Turnovers & Transition
In their last outing against Dallas, Atlanta committed 11 turnovers, leading to 19 opponent points. Trae Young alone had eight turnovers the last time he faced New York. The Hawks must tighten up their ball control to secure a win in what is likely to be a closely contested affair.
📺 How to Watch Knicks vs Hawks
📅 Date: Tonight
🕘 Time: 7:30 PM ET
🏟️ Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta
📺 Watch Live On: NBA League Pass, MSG Network, Bally Sports Southeast
📈 Final Word: Knicks vs Hawks Prediction
The Knicks vs Hawks game could be one of the most exciting matchups of the week. With Trae Young’s rivalry with the Knicks adding drama and Karl-Anthony Towns stepping up for New York, fans can expect fireworks on both ends. If the Hawks can limit turnovers and capitalize on their bench depth, they may walk away with a crucial home victory.
