Knicks 123, Hawks 112: Scenes from Julius Randle’s All-Star Audition Tape

If you want to see an NBA All-Star in action, feel free to tune into MSG the next time the New York Knicks play. Julius Randle made a strong case for All-Star consideration on Monday night, wanting his team to win a game against the Atlanta Hawks, 123-112.

How good was Randle? Try 44 points on 14-22 shots, including 7 career-high three-pointers, to go along with 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Randle started on fire with 17 points in the first quarter as the Knicks took a 13-point lead. But the Hawks got back into the game in the second quarter thanks to some hot shots and outright bullshit calls in favor of Trae Young.

The Knicks hung on to a three-point lead at halftime, and the Hawks absolutely knocked them out to start the third, quickly gaining a 7-point advantage. The starters seemed slow, and Tom Thibodeau wasn’t going to make any changes yet. We have seen this prank play out so many times over the years.

This time, however, Randle wouldn’t let the Knicks go quietly. He boxed back-to-back lines to reduce Atlanta’s advantage, and his teammates rallied behind him, regaining the lead at the end of the third.

The fourth quarter remained a tense affair until Randle struck again, hitting that filthy jumper at the end of the shot clock to put the Hawks to bed.

But this game was more than just Randle. Let’s credit RJ Barrett (21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists), who managed a pair of clutch triples in the fourth, this one on a nice feed from Emmanuel Quickley.

Quickley did his thing, as usual, with 16 points and 5 assists. Look at this nonsense.

Ultimately, however, the victory belonged to Randle. And his teammates knew it. Take it away, Theo Pinson!

Julius Randle forever! Recap to come.