Randle scores 33, Knicks outlast Hawks 136-131 in overtime

ATLANTA (AP) — Julius Randle scored 33 points, RJ Barrett added 26 and the New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 136-131 in overtime Wednesday night after Trae Young led a furious comeback in the fourth quarter.

With Young scoring 27 of his 42 points in the final period of regulation, the Hawks sent the game to overtime tied at 118 after trailing by as many as 23.

But the Hawks, in one of the final games before the NBA suspends the season because of the coronavirus, used up all their energy overcoming the big deficit on the heels of a double-overtime win over Charlotte two days earlier.

New York never trailed in the game, finally finished off the Hawks after Elfrid Payton picked off Young’s pass and lobbed to Mitchell Robinson for a thunderous dunk that made it 130-124 with 1:24 remaining.

Randle scored seven points in overtime.

Young was essentially a one-man show through the closing minutes of regulation. He hit nothing but net after launching a 3-pointer from the center-court logo. Then, after Randle missed badly on a fadeaway that could’ve sealed a victory for New York, Young drove the length of the court and banked one in from high off the board to tie the game at 118 with 15.3 seconds left.

It was the first time it had been even since 2-2.

The Knicks had a chance to win it, isolating Elfrid Payton for the final shot. But Cam Reddish knocked the ball away as Payton darted into the lane, the ball rolling harmlessly away at the horn sounded.

After managing just 13 points through the first three quarters, Young dominated the fourth. He knocked down 7 of 9 shots — including four 3-pointers — and connected on 9 of 10 at the foul line. For good measure, he doled out four assists.

Young’s heroics came about the time word began circulating that the NBA was halting the season until further notice after Utah’s Rudy Gobert fell ill.

The crowd sensed this will be the last basketball they see for a while and perhaps for the rest of the season. As the final seconds ticked down, the fans began to chant “We want Vince!” — a plea for 43-year-old Vince Carter to return to the court for a possible last hurrah in his 22nd and final season.

During a timeout, Carter was able to get back in the game. With the victory secured, the Knicks backed off to let him take an uncontested 3-pointer.

Nothing but net.

Afterward, Carter lingered on the court while the crowd chanted, “Thank you Vince!”

TIP-INS

Knicks: Won the season series over the Hawks 2-1. … Robinson went 2 for 7 at the foul line, but finished with 16 points.

Hawks: Matched their season high with 21 3-pointers, which had been set Monday against the Hornets. … John Collins had 22 points and 15 rebounds. … Dewayne Dedmon had 13 rebounds.