Behind Jalen Brunson’s 34 points, New York left the MLK Day matinee at MSG with a 119-110 win that was ugly, physical and filled with complaining to the referees but nonetheless satisfactory after

The 26-year-old Trae Young only added to the venom — which he has called “a love-hate relationship — earlier this season when he mockingly imitated rolling a pair of dice on the Knicks’ midcourt

But Jalen Brunson had another target in mind. While he certainly would never admit it, in the flow of trying to lift the Knicks to a much-needed win, he was attacking Atlanta defensive stopper Dyson Daniels, who had begun to garner a reputation for frustrating Brunson.

New York Knicks shooting guard Josh Hart had an interesting answer to a question about Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young.

Fresh off the heels of a 3-3 home stretch, New York was able to get back in the win column with a 119-110 victory over the Atlanta Hawks Monday afternoon. More importantly, finally beating Trae Young after the guard "rolled dice" after beating New York in the NBA Cup Knockout Round must have felt good overall.

It was the 68th 30-plus point game in Brunson's career as a Knick, and it helped New York improve to 28-16. Mikal Bridges added 26 points, while New York swingman Josh Hart chipped in with 14 points. Hart had suffered a cervical compression in the neck in the Knicks' 116-99 loss to the Timberwolves on Friday night.

It happened early. Trae Young was being guarded by Mikal Bridges - one of the best defenders on the New York Knicks. During this particular play, Young struggled to find a hole in Bridges' defense resulting in an early shock-clock violation.

No, Trae Young’s rolling-of-the-dice center-court pantomime act certainly is not top of mind for the Knicks heading into Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee against the Hawks, even if they fully acknowledge the less-than-cordial history between Atlanta’s sharpshooting guard and the fans at the Garden.

The Knicks withstood a strong start from old enemy Trae Young, overcoming an early deficit to earn a 119-110 victory over his Atlanta Hawks amidst celebrations of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Inauguration Day. With the win, New York took down Atlanta for the first time in three tries this season and ended the Hawks' three-game winning streak.

The Knicks are staying focused on the task at hand, refusing to feed into Trae Young’s theatrics — antics that have made him a polarizing figure at Madison Square Garden. Young’s most recent

The Knicks open this week of play with a visit from an old enemy, as Trae Young brings his Atlanta ... regardless of what happens," point guard Jalen Brunson added in Botte's report.

Hart understands how All-Star selections work. He knows his chances of being named an All-Star reserve are slim. The Knicks already have two All-Star starters — their first since Earl Monroe and Walt Frazier in 1975 — and the competition for reserve spots is fierce.