Hawks aim for critical fifth-straight win over Knicks

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Despite everything that’s gone on within the Hawks front office over the last few weeks, the team on the floor is finally healthy and beginning to perform like everybody thought they would at the beginning of the season. The Hawks are fresh off one of their most impressive offensive performances of the season in a win on the road over the Dallas Mavericks. The victory pushed their win streak to a season-high four games — a steak they will look to extend tonight against the Knicks at State Farm Arena.

For the first time all season, the Hawks entire core was healthy for an entire game on Wednesday, even if Trae Young gave us a scare in the first half by rolling his ankle. He finished the game and is listed as day-to-day. Given the Hawks are up against the Knicks, I 100% expect him to play in this game. Bogdan Bogdanovic is also listed as day-to-day, but he should play as well.

The only injury for the Knicks is a critical one, as Mitchell Robinson underwent surgery yesterday to repair a broken thumb. While we wish him a speedy recovery, that’s something Clint Capela, John Collins, and Onyeka Okongwu must take advantage of; the Hawks should dominate in the paint and on the glass.

Trae Young has been a nightmare for the Knicks. He loves this rivalry and thrives under pressure, but my player to watch tonight is Dejounte Murray. He’s been scorching hot from everywhere over his last three games, averaging 28.3 points per contest on 63.5% shooting and 57.9% from behind the arc, to go along with 5.7 assists and 1.7 steals. When Murray plays like that, the Hawks become an offensive juggernaut.

Following four straight wins, the Hawks now sit one game over .500 and are 1.5 games back of the Knicks for the 7th seed. A home victory tonight would put them one step closer to establishing themselves as a playoff team, not a play-in team.

Photo: Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire

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