Inside How Knicks Stole OT Thriller vs. Hawks

The Knicks had seemingly put the game away with 18 seconds left as Josh Hart gave them a six-point lead. But a Georges Niang three-pointer with nine seconds remaining led to a Dyson Daniels inbound steal and foul where he converted one free throw. A Mouhamed Gueye offensive rebound led to two Trae Young free throws, which ended up sending the game to overtime.

The Hawks didn't have a lead in the game until Trae Young's overtime-opening floater put them ahead 139-137.

It was the Knicks' final game before the All-Star break, which comes at a much needed time as the team entered the game without Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, and Tyler Kolek, while Miles McBride did not return after halftime with a left rib contusion that had him listed as questionable prior to the game.

All five Knicks starters scored in double digits. Brunson, who had 16 points in the first quarter, finished with 36 points, while Josh Hart, fresh off a 30-point double-double, had an 18-point double-double, and Mikal Bridges had 11.

The Knicks' bench, while especially shorthanded in this matchup, continued to play well. Cameron Payne had 10 points, three rebounds and four assists, while Landry Shamet had four points in a stellar defensive effort. McBride did not score before leaving the contest. 

For the Hawks, it was a balanced effort offensively driven by Trae Young. Young had an inefficient 38 points, going just 11-of-29 from the field, but had 19 assists in the contest and led the Hawks comeback drive in the fourth quarter and overtime. 

Five other Hawks finished with double figures. Three starters, including Onyeka Okongwu, who had 21 points, defensive standout Dyson Daniels with 23 of his own to go with four rebounds, steals and assists, and the #1 pick Zaccharie Risacher with 16.

Off the bench, Georges Niang contributed 21 with multiple massive defensive stops down the stretch, while the newly-acquired Caris LeVert had 20. 

The Knicks move to 36-18, the team's best record before the All-Star break in franchise history. They play next on Thursday, February 20 against Chicago in Madison Square Garden at 7:30 p.m.