D’Tigers power forward Precious Achiuwa scored a season-high 26 points to help the New York Knicks overcome a resilient Atlanta Hawks 149-148 in overtime at the Madison Square Garden.
In a pulsating clash between two in-form teams, the Knicks started strong, racing to a 68-60 halftime lead. However, the Hawks mounted a strong comeback in the second half winning the third and fourth quarter 41-36 and 36-33 to force the game into overtime.
The Knicks came out tops in overtime outscoring the Hawks 12-11 to win by one point in a scoreline that looked more like that of an exhibition game.
Six players from both teams recorded points in double figures. Achiuwa scored 26 points, eight rebounds, and one assist in 42 minutes on the court, but it was Karl-Anthony Towns who grabbed the headlines with a game-high 44 points while adding 10 rebounds and three assists.
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Star guard, Jalen Brunson had 36 points, eight assists, and three rebounds, Josh Hart added 18 points and 10 rebounds while Mikal Bridges and Cameron Payne both settled for 11 and 10 points respectively.
Achiuwa’s compatriot Onyeka Okongwu recorded a double-double for the Hawks in 41 minutes on the court. He grabbed 21 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists while Trae Young had a team-high 38 points and a game-high 19 assists.
Dayson Daniels followed with 23 points, Georges Niang contributed 21 points, Chris LeVert added 20 points, and rookie Zaccharie Risacher pitched in 16.
The Hawks will be looking to bounce back from the loss when they face the Orlando Magic on Friday.
Reacting to the win, Achiuwa says he is happy to be out there playing his game, “I’m just playing my game, being out there, just trusting my game and playing. I’m in rhythm right now, so just playing in the rhythm of my game”
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