Julius Randle makes All-Star statement in 44-point windfall for Knicks

Julius Randle injured Atlanta on Monday night and is heading to Atlanta on March 7, the scheduled All-Star Game date.

Randle posted his record of 44 points with the Knicks, setting a career-high 7 points to 3 points as the Knicks won their third straight game on Monday, 123-112, against the Hawks at the Fanless Garden.

Randle racked up his third game by 30 points or more extending his All-Star campaign and finished one point off his career high (set with New Orleans).

Randle hit a runner at the wheel with 3:30 left, then his seventh 3-pointer to drive the lead to 112-107 and fend off the Hawks’ return effort. Randle did 7 of 13 of 3 and 14 of 22 in total. He was a career 28% 3-point shooter early in the season.

Appearing on “The Michael Kay Show” on ESPN radio before the game, Randle said an All-Star spot would mean “a lot, man. It’s definitely a goal I set for myself to accomplish when I got to the Knicks. It would be an incredible honor and mean a lot to me and my family. But I try to keep the team first. ”

Fan All-Star voting ends Tuesday.

“The most important is its impact on the victory,” said Thibodeau. “I hope he will be recognized.”

The Knicks moved up to 14-15 under first-year coach Tom Thibodeau and won five of seven games. After 29 games last season, the Knicks were 7-22.

“[Thibodeau’s] the attention to detail is amazing, ” said Randle, who has nine rebounds and five assists. “We go into games so prepared that every game is a playoff game. That’s how good it is. He is definitely a complete culture changer. He held everyone accountable. We all enjoy the process. “

One of the least productive 3-point shooter teams in the NBA, the Knicks have a record 17 3-pointers. RJ Barrett added 21 points and had two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.

The Knicks buried the Hawks in the first quarter, 39-28, but returned it all – mostly from the free throw line. They ended up behind by six in the third quarter.

Randle had 17 points in the first quarter when he went 7 of 8 – 3 of 4 to 3 points, continuing his outstanding season. Scoring 39 points in that first quarter, the Knicks shot 68.2% – not too shabby for a league-last-ranked offense in points.