Five of their first seven games on the road, winning four of their last five, the Knicks are 4-3, and they're in the top ten in the NBA in defensive rating under Tom Thibodeau.

Julius Randle is averaging career-highs in points, field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, rebounds, assists -- up from 2.9 to a magnanimous 7.4 per game, and minutes.

Randle and RJ Barrett combined for 54 points, and rookie Immanuel Quickley led all fourth-quarter scorers with 10 points including five free throws down the stretch in last night’s win in Atlanta.

“Playing hard in the NBA is a skill,” and Austin Rivers exemplified it with around a minute and a half to go -- draining a clutch 3-pointer and then drawing a charge on Trae Young.

“I love the fight in our team,” Thibs said postgame.

It’s early but Knicks fans love the fight, and if sustained they’ll love it even more.