Paul Millsap had a season-high 37 points, including the go-ahead lay-up with 27 seconds remaining in the fourth overtime, as the Atlanta Hawks overcame the New York Knicks 142-139 in an NBA slugfest lasting almost four hours on Sunday.
In the Knicks' first four-overtime game in 66 years, Millsap logged 60 minutes while five players, including Anthony and Atlanta's Dwight Howard, fouled out.
Carmelo Anthony, who had a season-high 45 points, scored the tying baskets at the end of regulation and the first overtime, before fouling out with 12.9 seconds remaining in the second overtime.
Courtney Lee sank a 26-foot tying three-pointer with 1.5 seconds remaining in the second OT and sank the tying free throws late in the third extra period.
It was the Knicks' first four-overtime game since January 23, 1951, when they lost at Rochester.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Atlanta's last four-overtime game was a win over Utah on March 25, 2012.
Millsap also had 19 rebounds and seven assists.
"There was no chance I was coming out," Millsap said.
Millsap had 19 rebounds, setting another season high, and seven assists.
"That was fun," Millsap said. "I don't want to do that again ever, but it was fun."
Asked to summarise the game, he said, "I don't even remember."
Anthony said it was "difficult" to watch the last two extra periods.
"Those are the overtimes where you've got to dig deep," Anthony said.
"You're exhausted, you have to find something from somewhere. But to not be out there in that last overtime was a little difficult to watch. Especially knowing the flow of the game. That was a moment I wanted to be out there."
The Knicks also had starters Kristaps Porzingis and Joakim Noah foul out.
New York still found ways to match the scoring from Millsap and Kent Bazemore, who had 24 points, including the Hawks' first eight points in the fourth overtime.
"Good thing we don't play tomorrow," said Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek.
The loss was another blow to the Knicks' hopes of moving into the Eastern Conference playoffs.
