With 32 points in the first quarter, New York got off to an explosive start. The New York Knicks were playing at a furious pace, always getting out in transition, and trying to push the ball down the floor as the offense was humming. RJ Barrett and Jalen Brunson, the only two offensive contributors for the whole game, played significant roles right from the opening tip-off. Both players contributed equally to the scoring, with Barrett finishing with 19 and Brunson with 20. Both players also distributed five assists.
Barrett and Brunson received virtually little offensive support from the rest of the Knicks throughout the course of the game. On 4-12 shooting, Julius Randle scored 14 points while making 0-3 three-pointers. Since the Knicks-Hawks playoff matchup in 2021, Atlanta appears to have discovered the secret to stopping Randle. One three-pointer was the only shot Evan Fournier hit to win the game.