ATLANTA (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns scored a season-high 36 points with 16 rebounds, Jalen Brunson had 34 points and the New York Knicks survived Atlanta’s late comeback attempt to beat the slumping Hawks 128-125 on Saturday night.
The Hawks lost their sixth straight to wrap up a crushing 0-5 homestand. Atlanta is 5-11 overall at home.
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Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) shoots against New York Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara (51) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) vie for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots against Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates his goal against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) heads to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Towns made 17 of 18 free throws while helping the Knicks take a dominant 56-38 advantage in rebounds.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who scored 25 points, had a steal and basket with 48 seconds remaining to give the Hawks a 125-124 lead. OG Anunoby made two free throws as the Knicks reclaimed the lead and, after he stole the ball following Trae Young's pass, padded the lead with two more free throws.
Onyeka Okongwu led the Hawks with 31 points and 14 rebounds. Jalen Johnson recorded his 13th consecutive double-double with 20 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds before fouling out in the final minute.
The Knicks held out forward Josh Hart, who suffered a right ankle sprain in Thursday's 126-124 win over Cleveland. Guard Deuce McBride (left ankle sprain) also was inactive.
“I hope I don't have to increase guys' minutes,” said Knicks coach Mike Brown before the game. Rookie Mohamed Diawara of France was the fill-in starter for Hart.
Young, who had 30 points and seven assists in Friday night's 126-111 home loss to Miami, scored only nine points with 10 assists while playing back-to-back nights for the first time since missing 21 games with a right MCL knee sprain.
Anunoby had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks, who have won nine of 11 including two straight.
Knicks: Visit New Orleans on Monday.
Hawks: Visit Oklahoma City on Monday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) shoots against New York Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara (51) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) vie for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots against Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates his goal against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) heads to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
The Chicago Bears have gone worst to first.
The Bears clinched the NFC North title when the Ravens beat the Packers 41-24 on Saturday night. A year after going 5-12, Chicago is 11-4 under rookie coach Ben Johnson and second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.
Baltimore (8-8) stayed alive in the AFC playoff race with the victory.
Earlier Saturday, the Texans secured a third straight playoff berth under coach DeMeco Ryans with a 20-16 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Texans eliminated Philip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts (8-7) in the process and stayed in the race for a third consecutive AFC South title.
The loss by the Chargers (11-5) allowed Denver (13-4) to clinch a division that was owned by the Kansas City Chiefs for the past nine seasons.
The Broncos became the second team to earn a division title, joining the NFC East champion Eagles. Twelve of the NFL's 14 playoff spots are now locked up, and three teams have secured division titles.
The Eagles (10-5), Bears, Seahawks (12-3), 49ers (11-4), Rams (11-4) and Packers (9-6-1) are in the NFC playoffs. The Panthers (8-7) and Buccaneers (7-8) are battling for the final playoff spot.
The Broncos, Patriots (12-3), Bills (11-4), Jaguars (11-4), Chargers and Texans have clinched AFC playoff spots. The Steelers (9-6) and Ravens (7-8) are fighting for the remaining berth.
Here’s an updated playoff picture:
New England clinches with a win over the Jets and a loss or tie by Buffalo, or a tie against New York and loss by the Bills.
Buffalo would clinch with victories over Philadelphia and the Jets if the Patriots lose to either the Jets or Dolphins.
The Steelers clinch with a win or tie against the Browns.
The Ravens would clinch if Pittsburgh loses to Cleveland and they beat the Steelers in the final game.
Jacksonville clinches with wins over Indianapolis and Tennessee, or one win and a loss or tie by Houston next week.
The Texans can win the division with a victory over the Colts next week and one loss by the Jaguars against Indianapolis or the Titans.
The Broncos clinched the division and can secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed this weekend if the Patriots lose and the Bills lose or tie and the Jaguars lose or tie.
The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles became the first team to win this division in consecutive seasons in two decades. They’ll be the NFC's No. 2, 3 or 4 seed.
The Bears clinched their first division championship since 2018. They could secure the NFC's No. 1 seed with victories over San Francisco and Detroit and one loss by Seattle.
The Packers are locked into the No. 7 seed.
Carolina clinches with a win over Seattle and a loss or tie by Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers clinch with victories over Miami and the Panthers in the final two games.
The Seahawks clinch the division with a victory over Carolina and a loss or tie by the Rams and a loss or tie by the 49ers, or a tie against the Panthers and losses by the Rams and 49ers.
The 49ers would clinch the division and the No. 1 seed if they beat the Bears and Seahawks in their final two games at home.
The Rams still have a path to a division crown, but must finish with a better record than both Seattle and San Francisco.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams celebrates after overtime of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Huh)
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs the ball toward the end zone to score a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun, left, talks with Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix following an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) stands on the field after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) acknowledges the fans as he leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Green Bay Packers' Jordan Love throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Huh)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff walks off the field after the team's loss to the Minnesota Vikings in an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
