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In a thrilling NBA showdown, the number one draft pick, Zaccharie Risacher, led the Atlanta Hawks to a late surge, overcoming the New York Knicks 121-116 on Wednesday night. Risacher, who marked a season-high for rookies with 33 points, also contributed seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocked shots to the team’s success.
Hawks’ Tense Comeback
Having trailed 110-105 with less than three minutes on the clock, the Hawks managed to stage a dramatic 13-1 run, effectively sealing the game. Alongside Risacher, Jalen Johnson and Trae Young made notable contributions. Johnson delivered 23 points and 15 rebounds, while Young bounced back from a previous low-scoring game with an impressive 23 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds.
Knicks’ Performance
Despite losing the game, New York Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns dominated the court with 34 points and 16 rebounds. Putting up a good fight, Jalen Brunson added another 21 points to the tally. The Knicks managed to shake off their initial sluggishness, impressing in the final three quarters. However, they ended their road trip with a 2-2 record.
Hawks’ Redemption and Risacher’s Highlight
The Hawks, coming off a 30-point defeat to the Celtics, redeemed themselves with one of their best performances of the season and a lot of credit goes to Risacher’s exceptional gameplay. The defining moment came when Clint Capela, off a 3-point miss from Towns, was set up by Young for a fast-break dunk, putting the Hawks ahead at 114-111 with just under 47 seconds left.
Key Stat
Interestingly, the Knicks, who went into the game as the NBA’s top 3-point shooting team, hitting 41.4% from beyond the arc, ended up making 46.8% of their 3-point attempts on Wednesday. The Hawks, meanwhile, managed to win despite having the league’s worst 3-point defense, allowing 39.8% from deep.
What’s Next?
The Knicks will head back home to face the struggling Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, while the Hawks are slated to meet the Detroit Pistons in what will be the first game of their third back-to-back scenario of the season.
