Those clamoring to see Obi Toppin get more minutes with the Knicks were likely to get their wish for at least one game.

Toppin earned a rare starting assignment with Julius Randle sitting out Tuesday’s home game against the Hawks due to a sore right quadriceps tendon.

Toppin, the eighth-overall pick in the 2020 draft, has averaged 14.8 minutes per game in his second NBA season. The reigning Slam Dunk champion also started two games this season when Randle was sidelined with COVID-19.

The 24-year-old Toppin has displayed his athletic ability when on the court, although he’s shooting just 23.6 percent from 3-point range. He also has struggled to make an impact on the defensive end.

After leading the league in minutes played last season, Randle ranks 12th in that category this year at 35.5 per game. Randle also was fined $40,000 Tuesday by the NBA for “directing hostile language at a game official” in Sunday’s loss to the Jazz.

Of course, Trae Young and the Hawks ousted the Knicks in five games in the first round of the playoffs last spring, but the Knicks actually had won their previous seven regular-season games versus the Hawks. That is the longest regular-season streak for either team in this matchup since the Knicks also took seven straight from Atlanta from 2003 to 2005. Randle averaged 28.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in those seven games.

The Hawks had a chance Tuesday to all-but eliminate the Knicks from any chance at the No. 10 play-in position in the Eastern Conference, leading them by five games with 11 remaining for both teams through Monday.

“It’s everyone’s job, but the thing is to lock into what goes into winning tonight’s game, Our thing is play as hard as you can, play for each other, play to win, play winning basketball. That’s the most important thing,” coach Tom Thibodeau said before the game. “And I think, for the most part from the All-Star break on, this team has played really well.

“Even the other night [against the Jazz], it’s a four-point game with four minutes to go. So we got to keep fighting. You’re not eliminated until you’re eliminated. Crazy things happen in sports, Just win the next game. That’s all we’re thinking about.”

Young, who had profane chants directed at him during the three playoff games at the Garden last year, didn’t play in the Christmas Day contest in New York this season due to COVID-19. The Knicks won that matchup via a triple-double by since shut-down guard Kemba Walker, and they also took two games in Atlanta on Nov. 27 and Jan. 15.

“They’re hard-fought games, obviously. I think we played hard against them but the games could have gone either way,” Thibodeau said. “The important thing for us is to play winning basketball. We have great fans. We’ve got to make sure we’re doing the right things to win the game. So don’t get wrapped up in emotions, things like that.

“Play well. Do the things that we need to do in order to win and that’s where I want the focus to lie. We know they’re a very talented team. So all the hoopla that’s what makes it special playing here. I think most players in the league love coming here to play. It’s the best arena in the league, in the world. And the fans are terrific, so you’re going to get their best effort. We have to make sure we give our best effort.”