The Atlanta Hawks (4-5) clinched a 121-116 victory over the New York Knicks (3-4) on Wednesday night, with rookie Zaccharie Risacher delivering a career-best 33 points to propel his team to a comeback win. Atlanta bounced back from a rough 30-point loss to the Boston Celtics.
Alongside his scoring, Risacher added seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks, leading Atlanta’s fourth-quarter rally.
Atlanta trailed by five with under three minutes to play but surged ahead on a 13-1 run, fueled by Risacher and fellow standout Jalen Johnson. Johnson contributed a double-double with 23 points and 15 rebounds, while Trae Young bounced back from a quiet game against Boston to add 23 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds.
The Knicks were led by Karl-Anthony Towns, who posted a game-high 34 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. Jalen Brunson added 21 points, while OG Anunoby and Josh Hart each played supporting roles, but New York’s efforts fell short down the stretch.
The loss marked the end of the Knicks’ road trip, as they finished with an even 2-2 record.
For New York, three-point shooting was an essential part of their offense, as they entered the game leading the league in three-point accuracy at 41.4%. The Knicks shot 46.8% from beyond the arc, hitting 22 of 47, but Atlanta’s defensive adjustments prevented them from capitalizing in crunch time.
Risacher’s breakout game marked his highest-scoring effort of the season and the best performance by any rookie in the league so far. His shooting accuracy, including six three-pointers, gave the Hawks the firepower they needed to stay competitive.
For New York, Towns’ dominance was evident as he outpaced every other player on the floor, hitting 11 of 23 shots, including five three-pointers. Brunson’s contributions in scoring and playmaking helped keep the Knicks within reach, but turnovers and missed opportunities allowed Atlanta to control the game in its final minutes.
The Hawks’ collective effort on the boards was another critical factor, with the team outrebounding New York 48-41. Capela, who tallied six rebounds in addition to his 18 points, was a force in the paint, while Risacher and Johnson’s work on the glass limited the Knicks’ second-chance opportunities.
Atlanta’s defense also proved impactful, as they recorded 12 steals and forced 15 turnovers, disrupting New York’s rhythm and creating scoring chances in transition.
