The New Year is getting off to a rough start for the New York Knicks, losing their first game in 2026. It also looked like one of their worst losses this season, and the team seems to be treating it that way, especially the captain, Jalen Brunson.
After the 111-99 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Brunson was asked why a strong opening quarter, where the Knicks scored 30 points, wasn’t sustained. His response was, “Not gonna lie, we just didn’t have it tonight.”
The Knicks had a rough offensive night, scoring under 100 points for the first time this season, which affected the team on both ends of the court. Brunson alluded to this by saying, “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.”
Brunson was far from the only Knick disappointed by the team’s performance. Mikal Bridges had his own strong comments after the loss, saying, “There’s no excuse, we’ve just got to be better. It is what it is, you’ve got to learn from it and get better tomorrow.”
The Knicks are still in second place in the Eastern Conference, but after winning the NBA Cup, their schedule has become more condensed. That possibility led to the first back-to-back loss since losing three straight within the opening five games of the season.
What Happens to the Knicks and Jalen Brunson in Loss
GettyJalen Brunson with the ball driving against the Hawks.
Looking at the box score, it’s easy to see why the Knicks struggled in this loss to the Hawks. The first is the noticeable absences. Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson, and Josh Hart all missed the game. Hart will miss some time with an ankle injury, while Towns has an illness, and Robinson usually misses one game in back-to-backs.
On offense, it was clear the Knicks missed Towns and his 21.9 points per game. But the three players’ presence in the paint might have been where the Knicks missed them the most. Towns, Robinson, and Hart are the top three rebounders on the Knicks. They combine for 28.4 total rebounds and 9.5 offensive boards per game.
Still, Bridges said it best after the game, “You know those are key guys, and we miss them, but we trust everyone in this lockerroom.” However, neither Bridges nor Brunson made up for the key absences.
Brunson had a really tough night, scoring 24 points but needing 23 shots. Similarly, Bridges struggled with his efficacy, scoring 18 points on 19 shots. Where the two hurt the Knicks the most is their three-point shooting, going a combined 4-19. The Knicks as a whole were awful from behind the arc against the Hawks, shooting 21.4% on 42 attempts.
When Can Brunson and Knicks Bounce Back
GettyKarl-Anthony Towns (#32), Jalen Brunson (#11), Mikal Bridges (#25)
Since winning the NBA Cup, the Knicks have gone 5-4 in nine games. However, their play on the court has slipped a little since the end of the tournament. On the season, the Knicks have the sixth-best net rating, at 5.9. Over the last nine games, it has been a different story, as the Knicks’ rating sits at -1.5, ranked 19th.
Furthermore, the Knicks will have no rest after their loss to the Hawks. That loss was the first of a home back-to-back, as the Knicks host the Philadelphia 76ers, who are getting hot behind Joel Embiid, feeling like his former self. That is followed by going on the road to face the top team in the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons.
Finally, before the Knicks go on a four-game West Coast trip, they host the Los Angeles Clippers, who, despite their record, have won six straight. The good news is Robinson will be back for the tough matchup against Embiid, while Towns is questionable.
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