ATLANTA — The Knicks returned to State Farm Arena to face the Hawks for the first time in nearly six months after Atlanta spoiled their season in a one-sided playoff series that sent the Knicks into the offseason with an idea about improving their roster.
But the Knicks might have arrived Saturday with more questions than they left with in June. At that time it was a simple thought to add offensive firepower to a team desperately in need of it. But now, as While the Hawks brought a seven-game winning streak into the meeting, surging up the standing, the Knicks landed in Atlanta are banged up and maybe more confused about their direction than they were when last season ended.