Hawks vs. Knicks prediction: New York to win, Jalen Brunson projected for big game in Friday's NBA matchup [1/2/2026]

NBA action continues on Friday at 7:30 PM ET as the Atlanta Hawks square off with the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Based on updated simulations and today’s injury reports, Dimers' proven NBA model projects the Knicks as the most likely winner of the Hawks vs. Knicks game.

This prediction follows the latest NBA Injury Report, which suggests the Knicks lineup will feature players like Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby, while the Hawks will rely on Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kristaps Porzingis.

This article offers a closer look at Friday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and player prop picks.

Hawks vs. Knicks prediction: Who will win and cover?

Using powerful machine learning and data, we have simulated the result of Friday's NBA game between the Hawks and Knicks 10,000 times as part of our NBA predictions coverage.

Our leading predictive model currently gives the Knicks a 63% chance of beating the Hawks. Our predicted final score has the Knicks winning 121-117.

According to our model, the Hawks (+4.5) have a 55% chance of covering the spread, while the over/under total of 239.5 points has a 51% chance of staying under.

Hawks vs. Knicks odds

We have researched the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:

All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Hawks vs. Knicks picks and best bet

After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:

According to our best NBA bets for Friday, the top play to make on this game is Hawks +4.5 at the spread.

Hawks vs. Knicks player props

NBA player props are an enjoyable way to wager on the Hawks vs. Knicks game without necessarily betting on the outcome. We have crunched the numbers to project how each team's leading players will perform at Madison Square Garden.

Jalen Johnson is expected to lead the Hawks with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists, while Jalen Brunson is projected to have 30 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists for the Knicks.

Check out our NBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and today's NBA first basket picks.

Hawks prediction

Our model's projected player stats for the Hawks are:

Knicks prediction

Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Knicks:

Hawks vs. Knicks game-day updates and essential details

Friday's game between the Knicks and Hawks at Madison Square Garden is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM ET.

• Who: Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks
• Date: Friday, January 2, 2026
• Time: 7:30 PM ET/4:30PM PT
• Venue: Madison Square Garden

Conclusion

We predict the Knicks, with a 63% win probability, will likely beat the Hawks on Friday, with Jalen Johnson projected for a game-high 55 fantasy points.

AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Hawks vs. Knicks insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from the latest data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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