Shorthanded Knicks come out flat against Hawks in one of their worst losses of season

· New York Post

This was no way to start the new year. 

The Knicks came out flatter than a pancake for their first game of 2026 and produced one of their worst performances of the season. 

For what should have been the last possession of the first half, Jalen Brunson, who was under no pressure from the defense, was too slow walking the ball up the court and was called for an eight-second violation. That lack of focus on the unforced error was a perfect encapsulation of their uninspiring showing as the Knicks fell 111-99 to the Hawks on Friday night at Madison Square Garden. 

“Not gonna lie, we just didn’t have it tonight,” Brunson said. “I know that’s a terrible, lame-ass excuse, but we let shotmaking affect our overall gameplay. That includes our pace, our sense of urgency. Just wasn’t our style of basketball today and it’s unacceptable.” 

Kristaps Porzingis attempts a shot during the Hawks’ Jan. 2 loss to the Knicks. Charles Wenzelberg

They were shorthanded, with a major hole at center without Karl-Anthony Towns (illness) and Mitchell Robinson (load management). And they were still without Josh Hart (ankle) and Landry Shamet (shoulder). It certainly showed. 

They trailed by 24 points after three quarters and actually heard some boos. 

The Knicks, after a three-game win streak, have dropped two straight ahead of a tough back-to-back with the 76ers coming to town Saturday. And since their NBA Cup triumph, they are just 5-4. 

It’s the first time they have lost two in a row since they lost three straight at the end of October. 

They showed more life in the fourth quarter — they started the quarter on an 11-0 run to cut their deficit to 13 and provide the MSG crowd with some juice. But two straight 3s from Luke Kennard reestablished a 19-point Hawks lead. The Knicks cut the deficit to 11 with just under four minutes left and nine with 1:29 left, but never got closer. 

“It was too late by that point,” Brunson said. “We have to have that sense of urgency throughout the game. Can’t let it get to that point.” 

Coach Mike Brown has criticized the Knicks’ defense repeatedly in recent games, and it was lax yet again. 

“The shot’s not falling, where else are we gonna hang our hat? And it has to be on the defensive end of the floor, and we didn’t get it done throughout most of the game tonight,” Brown said. “And that’s why we ended up losing, at the end of the day.” 

But recently, the Knicks have at times bailed out their poor defense with strong offense. On Friday, they were brutal on both sides of the ball. 

Brunson finished with 24, but got little help from healthy co-stars OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges until it was too late. Anunoby had 19 points — seven of which came in the fourth quarter when the Knicks were already facing a big deficit — and Bridges recorded 18 — 12 of which came in the fourth. 

As a team, the Knicks shot just 36 percent from the field and a rough 20 percent from 3-point range. That was their worst mark from deep this season, and it affected their effort. 

Jalen Brunson tries to drive to the basket during the Knicks’ Jan. 2 loss to the Hawks. Charles Wenzelberg

They let the Hawks shoot 48 percent from the field, led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu, who tallied 23 points apiece. 

“I think just lack of energy defensively,” Bridges said. “I know we weren’t making shots, but that doesn’t leave an excuse to not play defense and get back. We can’t let missing shots affect us on the other end.” 

All the Knicks absences forced Brown to again go deeper into his bench. But that expanded bench struggled. 

Jordan Clarkson was a non-factor. Tyler Kolek failed to affect the game like he has recently. Kevin McCullar Jr., who has entered the rotation in Hart’s absence, took a step back and was scoreless. Mohamed Diawara missed all three shots he took and was scoreless as well. Pacôme Dadiet and Trey Jamison III even briefly saw the court. 

Ariel Hukporti and Guerschon Yabusele were the only two members of the bench unit that mostly held their own. 

“It doesn’t matter how many guys are in uniform or who’s in uniform,” Brown said. “We gotta go play the right way. Sometimes, if you play the right way, you’re gonna take a loss and you’re OK with it.” 

That was definitely not the case Friday night. 

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels drives to the basket as New York Knicks guard Miles McBride tries to steal the ball and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson gives chase during the first quarter.

The Knicks were flying for a few weeks, winning 11 of 12 games, including the NBA Cup final. But all of a sudden, they’ve begun to falter. 

They have an immediate chance to respond.