Julius Randle: New York Knicks 'Play For Each Other' on Offense

Julius Randle credited the New York Knicks' continued offensive cohesion as a team effort.

After a dreadful offensive start to the season, the New York Knicks have begun to put things together. All-Star forward Julius Randle cited a sense of playing for each other following the team's 116-114 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.

"We're just trying to get movement on the offensive end," Randle said in his postgame interview with Gus Johnson and Wally Szczerbiak of MSG Network. "I feel like the more we move, the more we cut, space for each other, set screens, the easier the game will be for everybody. Everybody will get in a rhythm naturally, just continue to play off each other, play for each other."

The Knicks bested the Hawks in the second leg of a five-game road trip and earned their fourth win over the past five games. Randle put together his most complete offensive performance this season, shooting 12-of-24 from the field and 3-of-5 from deep for 29 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. 

Julius Randle scored a season-high 29 points in a 116-114 win on the road over the Atlanta Hawks / USA Today Sports

New York (6-5) lost four of its first six at the start of the year, brought down by a league-worst shooting percentage that briefly fell under 40 percent. Over the past five games, they've averaged 116 points (tied for eighth in the Association in that span) on a success rate of 47.3.

Randle, continuing to regain his form after struggling in the aftermath of offseason ankle surgery is averaging 24.5 points on 42.7 percent from the field. While that's nothing near Randle's best, it is a stark improvement from his numbers in the six games (13.1 points on just over 27 percent).

Little more needs to be said about the Knicks' defense, currently allowing the fewest points against at 105.2. If the offense can start to figure things out, the Knicks could become a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference. 

New York returns to action on Friday night when In-Season Tournament action resumes against the Washington Wizards (7 p.m. ET, MSG).