Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks Picks and Predictions April 5th 2025

Jalen Brunson Nears Return as Knicks Face Hawks in Crucial Matchup

The New York Knicks may finally get their floor general back on Saturday as they travel to Atlanta to face the Hawks in a pivotal Eastern Conference clash. Jalen Brunson, who has missed 14 games with a sprained ankle, practiced Friday and could return for either the front end of the weekend’s back-to-back set.

The Knicks (48-28) have managed an 8-6 record without Brunson, holding steady in the playoff race despite the absence of their star. Head coach Tom Thibodeau is weighing when to bring him back.

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“It’s more of how they feel and what we think is best given all the factors that are involved and just make a good decision,”

– Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau on Brunson’s status.

New York dropped its most recent game, a 124-105 loss to Cleveland, getting outscored 71-45 in the second half. Still, Karl-Anthony Towns (25 points) and OG Anunoby (23 points) have stepped up in Brunson’s absence. Anunoby has been especially efficient, shooting 54.2% over his past eight games.

Josh Hart had a bit of fun evaluating Brunson’s practice return.
“He looked good. Got a lot of buckets, gave up a lot of buckets. So about normal,”

– Knicks guard Josh Hart on Brunson’s scrimmage showing.

Cam Payne could also return after missing four games with a sprained ankle, but Miles McBride remains out.

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Atlanta (36-40) has stumbled lately, losing four of its last five after a 7-2 stretch earlier in March. In their most recent outing, the Hawks fell just short in a 120-118 loss to Dallas, despite a late-game surge. Trae Young scored 25 but missed the potential game-winner and has been cold from the field over his last three games (33.9%).

Onyeka Okongwu has been a bright spot, registering a double-double in nine of his last 14 games, including 20 points and 14 rebounds against the Mavs.

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The Knicks and Hawks are meeting for the fifth time this season, including a December play-in tournament matchup. Atlanta won the first two, but New York responded with back-to-back wins, including a thrilling 149-148 overtime victory in February where Towns dropped 44 and Brunson added 36. Young posted a massive 38-point, 19-assist game in that shootout.

With both teams jostling for playoff seeding, Saturday’s game could be another high-scoring, tightly contested affair.

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