ATLANTA — The Knicks did it without Danilo Gallinari, who missed the game with a mysterious strained forearm. They did it without Nate Robinson, punished and benched for the second straight game by coach Mike D’Antoni.
And they did it with veteran Al Harrington, who in the morning was left wondering if he ultimately will be traded to the Bulls for the younger Tyrus Thomas.
After falling into an 11-0 hole, the Knicks stormed back behind Harrington’s monster 25-point first half and grinded out a 114-107 victory at Phillips Arena. They moved to 5-15, beating the prosperous Suns and Hawks in two of the last three games. The no-longer winless Nets are up next tomorrow at the Garden.
Harrington, who started in place of the injured Gallinari, wasn’t the only veteran who willed them to physically impose their will on the 13-6 Hawks, who had scored 146 points in their prior game. Point guard Chris Duhon had his best game — 25 points, 10 assists — and Larry Hughes abused Mike Bibby on drives in the fourth quarter, finishing with 16 points and seven assists. As much as the Knicks talk about trying to win with young guys, their three vets pulled them through.
“I definitely felt I could score when I wanted to,” said Harrington, who was 10 of 13 in the first half and drew constant double teams.
Harrington didn’t shoot much in the second half, finishing with 27 points, but Duhon, Hughes and defense carried them home.
“We were a little frazzled and slow at the beginning,” D’Antoni said. “Al really jump-started us and everyone else chipped in.”
The Bulls are interested in prying Harrington from the Knicks in a deal for the injured Thomas, but Knicks team president Donnie Walsh isn’t ready to give up their leading scorer, leaving talks on hold.
Told about Thomas’ injury that has him out another two weeks, Harrington said jokingly, “He’s got a broken arm. I might as well be traded for a bag of balls.”
Harrington said he wants to stay a Knick and made his case last night.
“I hope not,” Harrington said. “I love New York. I love being a Knick. I told ya’ll that. I want to be part of this when it’s turned around. Not trying to go somewhere else.”
The Hawks looked ready to destroy the Knicks when they hit three straight 3-pointers and got up 11-0 after 2:03.
“Al got hot and carried us to keep us close,” Duhon aid. “Usually when we get down early, we roll over and quit.”
The Knicks also got a break when Hawks shot-blocking extraordinaire Josh Smith was ejected in the second quarter for baiting the referees. Smith was seething from his embarrassing missed left-handed dunk on a breakaway and thought he was fouled.
A minute later, after scoring inside, Smith gestured and shouted at referee Bob Delaney, picking up one technical. Then Smith pointed to his eyes and picked up a second one. Smith kicked a trash bin in the hallway on his to the locker room and the Knicks went on to kick the stuffing out of the Hawks inside. The Knicks guards had their way on penetrations to the unprotected rim.
“When he got thrown out, it was big for us, he changes the dynamic of the game with his shot-blocking and presence,” David Lee said. “After he left, we were just able to go to pick and rolls.”
Duhon absolutely was deft running the show, slowly emerging from his slump. Duhon picked up his 10th assist after threading into the lane and shoveling a pass to Wilson Chandler (18 points) cutting down the left baseline for a lay-up and a 111-102 lead with 1:11 left. Duhon finished 10 of 16, 4 of 8 from 3-point range and with four rebounds.
As for Robinson, D’Antoni even played Marcus Landry for five minutes instead of the 5-foot, 7½-inch guard. Robinson and D’Antoni met yesterday afternoon and D’Antoni told him he felt rookie Toney Douglas gave them the better chance to win for now. Douglas had a big offensive-rebound putback and scored six points on 3 of 5 shooting in 12 minutes.
“We need energy, defense and intense play every possession,” D’Antoni said, explaining his decision.
marc.berman@nypost.com