Hot-lanta

The Knicks came out blazing against the Hawks as they prepare to welcome the Captain back to the lineup.

Good morning! This was New York’s first and last weekend of the year in which they played on both Saturday and Sunday. I was going to combine both write-ups into one newsletter tomorrow, but I figured I’d get this one out of the way before the ceremonious return of the Captain later today. Come join me at halftime tonight.

Game 77: Knicks 121, Hawks 105

• Cam Payne returned to action, but Delon Wright got the start.

• New York’s offense was on overdrive out of the gate, and after they dispensed with some sloppiness, the Knicks went up by 31 before the half.

• Jalen Brunson is due back today against Phoenix.

Don’t get it twisted, this one wasn’t nearly as close as the final score made it seem.

When Karl-Anthony Towns channeled his inner Kareem with this running righty hook shot…

…it gave the Knicks 99 points and put them up by 34 with 6:06 remaining in the third quarter. At that moment, New York had made 37-of-56 from the field, including 13-of-18 from behind the arc. Both percentages would have blown away their previous season highs in each category, and they were on pace for 158 points.

Perhaps sensing that their final Brunson-less mission had been accomplished, the Knicks went cold for the rest of the game, but they were never seriously threatened, with the lead not dipping below 20 until the final two minutes.

It was an encouraging end to a 30-day stretch that may come to define the 2024-25 season…depending on what happens from here, of course.