Hawks’ Winning Streak Ends in 119-110 Loss to Knicks

NEW YORK — The Atlanta Hawks‘ three-game winning streak came to an end Monday as they fell 119-110 to the New York Knicks in a tightly contested matchup at Madison Square Garden. The loss marked a missed opportunity for the Hawks to gain ground in the Eastern Conference standings.

Trae Young led Atlanta with 27 points, while De’Andre Hunter added 22 off the bench. However, the Hawks were undone by 23 turnovers, which led to 29 points for the Knicks. Jalen Brunson starred for New York with 34 points, and Mikal Bridges contributed 26 in the victory.

The Hawks started strong, building an early 10-point lead behind sharp shooting and solid play from Onyeka Okongwu, who replaced Clint Capela in the starting lineup. However, the Knicks tightened their defense after the first timeout, forcing Atlanta into a series of miscues that shifted momentum.

“We had good stretches, particularly when we pushed the ball and moved the ball,” Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said postgame. “But we got stagnant at times. They have a lot of length with Bridges and [OG Anunoby] on the perimeter that makes it hard on you.”

New York took control in the third quarter, outscoring Atlanta 34-26 behind strong performances from Brunson and Bridges. The Hawks briefly tied the game at 94 early in the fourth, but costly turnovers and defensive lapses allowed the Knicks to pull away. A four-point play by Cam Payne with 5:30 remaining extended New York’s lead to eight, and Atlanta never recovered.

Okongwu, making his first start of the season, finished with 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Capela, coming off the bench, struggled to finish near the rim and was involved in several of the team’s turnovers. Snyder did not address the lineup change postgame, leaving questions about whether Okongwu will remain in the starting role.

The Knicks, who shot 52% from the field, capitalized on Atlanta’s mistakes, scoring 29 points off turnovers. Despite the loss, the Hawks shot 47% from the field and 43% from three-point range, keeping the game competitive until the final minutes.

“It’s tough to beat the Knicks on the road, no matter what,” Snyder added. “They played well tonight. Brunson and Bridges in particular. Jalen’s a hell of a player, and he made tough, contested shots.”

The Hawks (22-20) will look to bounce back Wednesday as they begin a three-game homestand against the Detroit Pistons. Meanwhile, the Knicks continue to solidify their position as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.