Shorthanded Knicks come out flat against Hawks in…
This was no method to start the new yr.
The Knicks got here out flatter than a pancake for their first sport of 2026 and produced one of their worst performances of the season.
For what ought to have been the last possession of the first half, Jalen Brunson, who was under no strain from the protection, was too slow strolling the ball up the court and was called for an eight-second violation.
Kristaps Porzingis makes an attempt a shot during the Hawks’ Jan. 2 loss to the Knicks. Charles Wenzelberg
That lack of focus on the unforced error was a excellent encapsulation of their uninspiring displaying as the Knicks fell 111-99 to the Hawks on Friday evening at Madison Square Garden.
They have been shorthanded, with a major gap at heart without Karl-Anthony Towns (sickness) and Mitchell Robinson (load management).
And they have been still without Josh Hart (ankle) and Landry Shamet (shoulder).
It actually confirmed.
The Knicks, after a three-game win streak, have dropped two straight forward of a robust back-to-back with the 76ers coming to city Saturday.
And since their NBA Cup triumph, they’re just 5-4.
They confirmed more life in the fourth quarter — they began the quarter on an 11-0 run to cut their deficit to 13 and present the MSG crowd with some juice.
But two straight 3s from Luke Kennard reestablished a 19-point Hawks lead.
The Knicks cut the deficit to 11 with just under 4 minutes left and 9 with 1:29 left, but never obtained nearer.
Coach Mike Brown has criticized the Knicks protection repeatedly in latest video games.
But it wasn’t the protection that was missing Friday — they have been brutal on both sides of the ball.
Brunson completed with 24 factors, but obtained little help from healthy co-stars OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges until it was too late.
Jalen Brunson tries to drive to the basket during the Knicks’ Jan. 2 loss to the Hawks. Charles Wenzelberg
Anunoby had 19 — seven of which got here in the fourth quarter when the Knicks have been already dealing with a big deficit — and Bridges recorded 18 — 12 of which got here in the fourth.
As a group, the Knicks shot just 36 p.c from the sector and a tough 20 p.c from 3-point vary.
And they let the Hawks shoot 48 p.c from the sector, led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu, who tallied 23 factors apiece.
All the Knicks absences compelled Brown to again go deeper into his bench.
But that expanded bench struggled.
Jordan Clarkson was a non-factor.
Ariel Hukporti, beginning with no Towns or Robinson, didn’t make an influence.
Tyler Kolek failed to have an effect on the sport like he has lately.
Kevin McCullar Jr., who has entered the rotation without Hart, took a step back.
Mohamed Diawara missed all three photographs he took.
Pacôme Dadiet and Trey Jamison III even briefly noticed the court.
Guerschon Yabusele was the only member of the bench unit who principally held his own.
The Knicks have been flying for a few weeks, successful 11 of 12 video games, including the NBA Cup last.
But all of a sudden, they’ve begun to falter.
They have an instant probability to reply.
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