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4 Eastern Conference rivals Knicks should finish over in standings

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 11: Josh Hart #3 and RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks high five during the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden on February 11, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Evan Yu/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 11: Josh Hart #3 and RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks high five during the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden on February 11, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Evan Yu/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

3: Atlanta Hawks

Trae Young and the Hawks have been hated by Knicks fans since they ousted New York in the first round of the playoffs in 2021. Atlanta followed 2020-21 up with an eighth-place finish in the East and decided to trade for Dejounte Murray in the 2022 offseason. That acquisition hasn’t worked out as hoped for the Hawks.

Atlanta is currently No. 8 in the conference with a 29-30 record, so the team would be back in the play-in tournament if the season ended today. The Hawks entered the break with a poor effort against the Knicks that resulted in a 122-101 loss. Young posted 19 points while Murray only had six. What a duo.

Atlanta has had its fair share of drama already this season, too. Young and head coach Nate McMillan got into a disagreement a couple of months ago that resulted in Young not showing up to State Farm Arena to watch his team take on the Nuggets. Young brushed the issue off, but there’s clearly been some turmoil within the organization. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported (subscription required) that McMillan “strongly” considered resigning after the Hawks got off to a 17-18 start.

On Tuesday afternoon, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Atlanta had fired McMillan.

Although the Hawks will soon have a new head coach, it wouldn’t be surprising if Young were to request a trade during the offseason. He has three full seasons left on his contract.

Things aren’t near as bright as they were for the Hawks a couple of years ago, but that’s far from being a bad thing for Knicks fans.

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