Julius Randle hurt Atlanta on Monday night and is making his way to Atlanta on March 7, the upcoming date of the All-Star Game.
Randle posted his Knicks-high 44 points to set a career-high with 7 3-pointers when the Knicks won their third consecutive Monday, 123-112, over the Hawks in the fanless Garden.
Randle scored his third game of 30 or more points, extending his All-Star campaign and finishing one point short of his career high (set with New Orleans).
Randle hit a moving runner with 3:30 left and then his seventh 3-pointer to propel the lead to 112-107 and fend off the Hawks’ comeback effort. Randle made 7 of 13 of 3 and was 14 of 22 in total. He was a 28 percent 3-point shooter going into the season.
Randle appeared on “The Michael Kay Show” on ESPN radio before the game and said an All-Star berth would mean “a lot, man.” It’s definitely a goal that I set for myself to achieve when I joined the Knicks. It would be a great honor and mean a lot to me and my family. But I try to keep the team first. ”
Fans’ All-Star vote ends on Tuesday.
“Most important is its impact on winning,” said Thibodeau. “Hopefully it will be recognized.”
The Knicks went to 14-15 under freshman coach Tom Thibodeau, winning five of the seven games. After 29 games last season, the Knicks were 7-22.
[Thibodeau’s] attention to detail is incredible, ” said Randle, who had nine rebounds and five assists. “We are so well prepared that every game is a playoff game. That’s how good he is. He is certainly a complete culture shifter. He has held everyone accountable. We all enjoy the process. “
One of the least prolific 3-point shooting teams in the NBA, the Knicks hit 17 3-pointers in a season-high. RJ Barrett added 21 points and made two three-pointers in the fourth quarter.
The Knicks buried the Hawks 39-28 in the first quarter, but returned everything – mostly from the free-throw line. In the third quarter, they were behind with six.
Randle collected 17 points in the first quarter when he moved 7 of 8 – 3 of 4 from a 3-point range, continuing his excellent season. By scoring 39 points in that first quarter, the Knicks shot 68.2 percent – not too shabby for a foul ranked last in the league in points.