ATLANTA — Karl-Anthony Towns’ inspiration wasn’t a shooter, wasn’t a bruising post-up center.

The reason Towns wears No. 32 is one of the best passers to ever lace up basketball sneakers: Magic Johnson, whose assists could have a wing in the Louvre.

That became easier to remember Saturday night at State Farm Arena, where Towns became the focal point of an offense that steamrolled the Hawks 114-98 to recapture home-court advantage with a stout defense and balanced offense.

Towns had 10 of New York’s 23 assists. He finished with a 20-point triple-double, the first of his playoff career. He joined Clyde Frazier, Dick McGuire and Josh Hart as the only Knicks to record a postseason triple-double.

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ATLANTA — It was one offensive possession of one basketball game. It was less than 10 seconds. You can’t project that small a sample size onto the rest of a game, or on the rest of the series. It’s wise not to get too carried away by it.

Still, this … well, this was a thing of beauty, on a night when the Knicks were playing for no less than their season. In the laboratory of Leon Rose’s mind when he put together this roster, in the workshop of Mike Brown’s imagination when he sought ways to elevate this team’s ceiling, this is what the Knicks look like.

This is who they are. This is what they are capable of.

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Report card from the Knicks’ 114-98 blowout win over the Hawks on Saturday night in Atlanta:  

Jalen Brunson

Certainly not his best series, and he definitely wasn’t the best Knick in Game 4. He had 19 points on 7-for-18 shooting with six turnovers. But his defense was strong enough, and his teammates took home the victory.

Grade: C

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ATLANTA — The Knicks said they were playing for their lives.

Then they came out and played like it.

And it wasn’t Jalen Brunson who led the way — this was a shining moment for his supporting cast.

Particularly Karl-Anthony Towns, who recorded a triple-double, and OG Anunoby, who had a double-double, as the Knicks cruised to a 114-98 Game 4 win Saturday night at State Farm Arena to even the series at 2-2 heading back to New York.

“I thought we did a great job coming out with more tenacity,” Towns said. “More desperation I think is the proper word.”

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The Knicks were the more physical team, according to coach Mike Brown.

In a game they had to win, the Knicks left no doubt. They led almost wire to wire and left State Farm Arena with a 114-98 victory to even this best-of-seven, opening-round series at two wins apiece. Karl-Anthony Towns had a triple double with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, OG Anunoby tallied 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Jalen Brunson had 19 points and six assists. Knicks shot 51 percent from the field and out-rebounded Atlanta, 43-37.

The Hawks committed 18 turnovers and shot 10-of-41 from 3-point range. Their 98 points were their fewest since Mar. 20.

Game 5 is Tuesday night at the Garden.

Karl-Anthony Towns has notched a triple-double, the seventh in Knicks playoff history. Josh Hart had the last one. Walt Clyde Frazier did it four times. Knicks lead by 23 early in the fourth quarter. It's a rout.

The Knicks lead the Hawks by 21 after three quarters. A dominant night so far. Karl-Anthony Towns (19 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists) is one assist shy of a triple-double. Atlanta is 7-of-31 from 3. 12 minutes from the series being tied at two wins apiece.

Jalen Brunson is back on the bench, and the Knicks have pushed the lead back to 13. Jose Alvarado hit a 3-pointer and made a steal to set up an OG Anunoby basket. Very important contributions.

Early in the third quarter, it looked like Jalen Brunson turned his right ankle as he was being tied up. Brunson went back to the locker room. Hawks have come out hot and quickly got within eight.

A terrific first 24 minutes by the Knicks, who lead the Hawks, 58-44, at halftime. OG Anunoby has a team-high 12 points and the Knicks are plus-11 on the glass. They have led by as many as 16. Knicks shooting 51 percent from the field and have been dominant at both ends of the floor.

OG Anunoby hits a pair of 3-pointers and Josh Hart goes in for a layup. The lead is 16. Hawks have committed 10 turnovers and are 4-of-18 from 3. 2:42 left in the first half.