Standing at his locker after it was all over, Knicks All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns had a big smile on his face. It was an expression he could afford to have after his team managed to squeak past the Atlanta Hawks 149-148 in overtime to win the NBA's highest-scoring -- and perhaps its wildest -- game of the season.

It looked like the Knicks were finally in the clear. But they should have learned this lesson long ago. There is no “in the clear” when Trae Young looms.

Karl-Anthony Towns followed up Tuesday's 40-point performance with a 44-point effort and Jalen Brunson had 36.

Jalen Brunson made the go-ahead jumper with 11.1 seconds left in overtime, Karl-Anthony Towns scored 44 points and the New York Knicks outlasted the Atlanta Hawks 149-148 on Wednesday night in a thrilling final game before the All-Star break for both teams.