Atlanta Hawks

New York Knicks: Who Stepped Up Against The Atlanta Hawks?

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:42 p.m. ET

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The New York Knicks secured a massive 104-94 victory over the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. Who stepped up for New York?

Nov 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) drives past Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks continued down the road to the postseason on Sunday, November 20. The Knicks hosted the red-hot Atlanta Hawks for an early 12:00 p.m. start to a game with long-term implications.

With a 5-7 record through 12 games and a hunger for more, the Knicks needed a victory—and at 104-94, that’s what they got.

The Hawks entered Madison Square Garden with a 9-3 record overall and a 3-2 mark away from home. More applicably, Atlanta had won six of its past seven games, including a 110-106 road win over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Matched up against a Hawks team that’s as hot as any in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks played brilliantly in the first half and seemed to be setting the tone for a win.

Dwight Howard was dominant for the Hawks, recording 18 points, 18 rebounds, and two blocks in 29 minutes. The Knicks overcame his tremendous showing, however, and overcame one of the best teams in the conference.

The question is: which players stepped up during what was the most impressive win of the season for the Knicks?

Nov 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) shoots on a technical during the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony is one of the best passers in the NBA. He’s never been an elite facilitator, but Anthony’s ability to get the ball from Point A to Point B is second to none—something that was proven against Atlanta.

Anthony was dominant as a scorer, but it was his ability to set his teammates up with crisp passes that kept the defense honest.

REPLAY: @carmeloanthony beats the buzzer to conclude the 1Q! #Knicks #NYKvsATL pic.twitter.com/2sFhgfPRSE

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 20, 2016

Anthony finished the Atlanta game with 31 points, seven rebounds, two offensive boards, three assists, and two steals in 38 phenomenal minutes. He shot 12-of-22 from the field, 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, and 3-of-3 from the charity stripe.

No play better embodied the passion that Anthony played with than when he followed his own miss twice on the same play and drew a foul that brought Madison Square Garden to life in the fourth quarter.

Anthony was underwhelming against the Washington Wizards, which made this clash with the Hawks so important. He needed to come out with a passion and prove that he’s the leader that the Knicks need him to be.

With his second 30-point game of the 2016-17 NBA regular season, Anthony led the Knicks to their best win yet.

Hornacek on Noah:"We found out last second. Kyle had to step in. Kyle did a great job early on. Him & @willyhg94 did a nice job filling in."

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 20, 2016

Willy Hernangomez

The New York Knicks needed their backup centers to rise to the occasion with starter Joakim Noah sidelined by an illness. Though he didn’t start in relief of Noah, rookie center Willy Hernangomez was sensational off the bench.

With his energy and fundamental polish, the Knicks received invaluable play and production from Hernangomez.

Hernangomez went off for seven points, eight rebounds, two offensive boards, and an assist in 29 minutes. He shot 3-of-4 from the field and although he was an inefficient 1-of-3 from the free throw line, he drew consistent contact.

Beyond the numbers, Hernangomez was active and energetic for a Knicks team in dire need of that type of presence.

Hernangomez gained invaluable experience during his time in Spain’s Liga ACB, but few expected him to be this tough. He’s embracing the physicality of the NBA and should be successful for that very reason.

Hernangomez is another one of Phil Jackson’s NBA Draft acquisitions. It’s perfectly clear that he’s going to be a force in the future.

Nov 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee (5) passes in front of Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Courtney Lee

Courtney Lee has been mislabeled as a 3-and-D player for the better part of his NBA career. Though he is an effective 3-point shooter and a respectable defender, Lee is also a crafty ball-handler and high-quality athlete who can finish at the rim.

Lee put his full arsenal of skills on display against the Atlanta Hawks as he provided crucial minutes during the 10-point win.

Lee played a game-high 38 minutes—a mark matched by only the stars: Carmelo Anthony and Paul Millsap. During his time on the court, Lee recorded 14 points, five rebounds, one offensive board, five assists, and two steals.

Lee rounded out his brilliant showing by shooting 6-of-13 from the field and going 2-of-3 from beyond the arc.

Lee’s ability to facilitate has been a consistent factor throughout his career, even if he hasn’t received credit for it. He has a quick first step that enables him to create penetration and make plays on the drive.

If Lee can do this with consistency throughout the 2016-17 NBA regular season, then the Knicks will go to the playoffs.

Nov 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks center Kyle O’Quinn (9) shoots between Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) and forward Mike Muscala (31) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle O’Quinn

Early foul trouble stunted the in-game development of Kyle O’Quinn as an impact player for the New York Knicks. Nevertheless, he found a way to set the tone for the Knicks’ outstanding showing in the first half.

With Joakim Noah out due to an illness, O’Quinn took it upon himself to get physical with the Atlanta Hawks’ big men and step up on the boards.

O’Quinn finished with eight points, eight rebounds, four offensive boards, and one block in 17 high-quality minutes of relief for Noah. He shot 4-of-5 from the field and posted a +/- of +12 for the home team.

O’Quinn’s inconsistency has been disappointing during his Knicks career, but he has performances like this in him.

O’Quinn has proven capable of rebounding, scoring, and defending at a high level when he’s motivated to do so. That’s been the question throughout his career, however, which is why it’s such a big deal when he shows up.

Here’s hoping O’Quinn will be this type of player throughout the rest of the 2016-17 NBA regular season.

Nov 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) shoots on a technical during the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Kristaps Porzingis

The New York Knicks have been been able to rely upon Kristaps Porzingis for consistently strong production in 2016-17. The clash with the Atlanta Hawks was no exception, as Porzingis stepped up with yet another productive game.

Matched up with a three-time All-Star in Paul Millsap, Porzingis continued to make his own case for a 2017 All-Star Game appearance.

Porzingis finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and one offensive rebound in 31 minutes. He shot 8-of-15 from the field, 1-of-4 from beyond the arc, and 2-of-4 from the free throw line in what was an efficient all-around game.

This was Porzingis’ second double-double of the season and the type of performance that the Knicks need to see more often.

Porzingis has been relatively underwhelming as a rebounder in 2016-17, but he has two double-doubles in his past four games. He’s beginning to show the all-around potential that Knicks fans envision him having.

Porzingis could’ve cracked under pressure against Millsap, but he stepped up and helped the Knicks win a must-have game.

This was the best showing of the year for the Knicks.