All eyes are on Madison Square Garden tonight as the Atlanta Hawks square off against the New York Knicks in a matchup brimming with playoff-like tension—and, once again, the spotlight falls on Trae Young. The Hawks’ dynamic point guard, who has been the central figure in this fierce rivalry for years, is officially available to play after a week clouded by injury concerns. Atlanta enters this contest desperate to halt a five-game losing streak, while the Knicks look to solidify their position near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Young’s status was the subject of considerable speculation leading into the game. Listed as probable for most of the week due to a right quad contusion, Young was a late addition to the Hawks’ injury report. Yet, in a welcome boost for Atlanta, he was cleared to play earlier today. According to the Hawks’ official injury report, “Trae Young (right quad contusion): Available,” giving Atlanta its offensive engine just when they need him most.
This availability is especially significant, as it marks the first time Young has played both ends of a back-to-back since returning from a multi-week knee injury. The Hawks, who have struggled to find consistency in December, are hoping Young’s presence can help snap their current losing skid and inject some life into a team that’s dropped nine of its last eleven games.
Young has been a fixture on the injury report this season, but he’s recently strung together four consecutive appearances, including a standout 30-point performance in Friday’s 126–111 loss to the Miami Heat. Since returning to action on October 29, Young has been nothing short of electric, averaging 23.8 points, 10.0 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. His shooting splits are eye-popping: 50.0% from the field, 44.8% from three-point range, and 89.7% from the free-throw line. These numbers underscore his central role in Atlanta’s offense, which ranks 12th in points and 1st in assists per game, even as the team has faltered in the win column.
“Young is coming off a productive outing in Friday’s loss to the Heat, where he scored 30 points and drained five three-pointers,” reported Hawks correspondent Bruno Mulé. That performance was hardly an outlier; just a few nights earlier, Young delivered his best game of the season in a wild 152–150 shootout loss to the Chicago Bulls—the highest-scoring NBA contest of 2025. He finished that night with 35 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including a sizzling seven three-pointers, and added nine assists for good measure.
The Hawks’ struggles, however, extend well beyond Young’s health. Atlanta’s defense has collapsed in December, ranking 24th in points allowed and 23rd in field goal percentage allowed. The team is also near the bottom in rebounds, sitting at 25th overall, and has slipped to 18th in defensive rating. Offensively, the Hawks are still dangerous—ranking 7th in field goal percentage, 6th in three-point percentage, and 13th in free-throw percentage—but their inability to get stops has repeatedly undermined their efforts.
On the other side, the Knicks enter tonight’s clash riding high. They’re just 2.5 games out of first place in the Eastern Conference and are coming off a statement Christmas Day victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. This is the first meeting between the Hawks and Knicks this season, and expectations are sky-high given the history between these two teams.
The Knicks have established themselves as one of the league’s most balanced squads, ranking 5th in points scored, 9th in field goal percentage, and 4th in three-point percentage. They’re also dominant on the boards, sitting 3rd in total rebounds, and their defense is among the league’s best—8th in points allowed and 8th in field goal percentage allowed. With a 14th place defensive rating, New York has the tools to frustrate even the hottest shooters.
But the real drama tonight centers on Trae Young’s ongoing rivalry with the Knicks—a storyline that has captivated fans since his explosive breakout against New York in the 2019–20 season. That year, Young averaged a jaw-dropping 44.0 points and 10.6 assists across three games against the Knicks, routinely silencing the Madison Square Garden faithful. The animosity only grew in the 2021 playoffs, when Young’s game-winning floater in Game 1 helped the Hawks oust the Knicks in the first round. He tallied 32 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds in that pivotal contest, cementing his reputation as a New York villain.
More recently, Young eliminated the Knicks from the 2024 NBA Cup at Madison Square Garden with a clinical 22-point, 11-assist, five-rebound performance. His celebration—mimicking a dice roll at center court over the Knicks logo—fueled the fire between the two teams and added another memorable chapter to this burgeoning rivalry.
Injury concerns are not limited to Atlanta, either. The Hawks will be without N’Faly Dante (right knee, torn ACL) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness), while the Knicks are missing Josh Hart (right ankle sprain) and Landry Shamet (right shoulder sprain), with Miles McBride listed as questionable due to a left ankle sprain. These absences could affect rotations and put even more pressure on the stars to deliver in crunch time.
For Atlanta, this matchup represents more than just a chance to end their losing streak—it’s an opportunity to regain confidence, restore defensive intensity, and remind the league of their playoff pedigree. For New York, it’s another chance to assert their dominance in the East and perhaps settle the score with their most notorious nemesis.
As the teams take the floor, the energy inside Madison Square Garden is palpable. Fans are bracing for another chapter in the Hawks-Knicks saga, with Trae Young once again at center stage. Will Atlanta’s star rise to the occasion and help his team right the ship, or will the Knicks continue their march up the standings? With Young healthy and the rivalry renewed, one thing’s for sure—basketball fans are in for a show tonight.
As tipoff approaches, both teams are geared up for what promises to be another high-octane battle. The Hawks are counting on Young’s playmaking magic, while the Knicks will look to leverage their depth and defensive prowess. With so much at stake, the only certainty is that this storied rivalry will add yet another memorable night to its history.
