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R.J. Barrett drops career high in jaw-dropping Knicks win over Atlanta

By Kevin Connelly

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 17: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks dunks the ball as Alex Len #25 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during the first half of their game at Madison Square Garden on December 17, 2019 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 17: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks dunks the ball as Alex Len #25 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during the first half of their game at Madison Square Garden on December 17, 2019 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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The former Duke Basketball superstar, R.J. Barrett, posted a career high on Tuesday night in the New York Knicks’ stunning win over the Atlanta Hawks.

It’s not very often that the New York Knicks win games by 23 points. It’s even less often that the team wins by 23 points and scores 143 points in the process.

Well, both were true on Tuesday night as the New York Knicks returned to Madison Square Garden off a productive West Coast Trip to face the Atlanta Hawks.

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The Knicks were able to win so convincingly behind rookie R.J. Barrett who posted a career-high 27 points in the 143-120 victory.

Barrett was 10-of-13 from the floor, 2-of-3 from 3-point range, and 5-of-8 from the free throw line in addition to his six points, one assist, and one steal.

Normally a heavy minutes player, Barrett still played a team-high 29 minutes along with Mitchell Robinson, but due to the score, the former Blue Devil was able to be off his feet in the final few minutes.

On the other side, it was the first regular season game that Barrett and his Duke teammate, Cam Reddish, were able to play against each other as Reddish played 27 minutes off the bench, scoring nine points on 3-of-8 shooting.

Reddish also was able to grab four rebounds and was 1-of-3 from 3-point range and made both of his free throw attempts.

The Atlanta Hawks also saw former Blue Devil Jabari Parker score ten points on 4-of-9 shooting while accumulating five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

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Despite being in the starting lineup, Parker only played 19 minutes on Tuesday night.

Since firing head coach David Fizdale, the Knicks are 3-3 in its last six games and the win improved New York to 7-21 on the season while the Atlanta Hawks dropped to 6-22.

R.J. Barrett and the Knicks will hit the road to play the Miami Heat on Friday, December 20 at 8:00pm EST while Cam Reddish, Jabari Parker, and the Atlanta Hawks will head back home to face the Utah Jazz on Thursday, December 19 at 7:30pm EST.

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