Jalen Brunson's late-game heroics lift Knicks over Hawks

Knicks point guard scores 17 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter to secure victory over surging Hawks

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:08am

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An abstract, cubist-style painting depicting the intensity and movement of a basketball game between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks, with the players' figures broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes.Jalen Brunson's late-game heroics lift the Knicks over the surging Hawks in a crucial matchup with playoff implications.NYC Today

In a crucial late-season matchup with playoff implications, New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson delivered a clutch performance, scoring 17 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter to lead his team to a 108-105 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Brunson hit the go-ahead jumper with 30 seconds remaining to seal the win for the Knicks, who are jockeying for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.

Why it matters

This victory was an important one for the Knicks, who had lost five straight games against teams with winning records. With the playoffs around the corner, this win against the surging Hawks, who had won 18 of their last 20 games, gives the Knicks momentum and confidence heading into the postseason.

The details

After struggling for much of the game, Brunson took over in the fourth quarter, hitting several clutch shots to lead the Knicks' comeback. The game came down to the final seconds, with the Hawks' CJ McCollum hitting a last-second heave that was ruled to have come after the buzzer, preserving the Knicks' victory.

  • The Knicks and Hawks faced off on April 6, 2026.
  • Brunson scored 17 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter.

The players

Jalen Brunson

The Knicks' starting point guard, known for his clutch performances in high-pressure situations.

CJ McCollum

The Hawks' veteran guard, who nearly hit a game-tying shot at the buzzer.

Dyson Daniels

The Hawks' All-Defensive team selection, who helped limit Brunson for much of the game.

OG Anunoby

The Knicks' starting forward, who played 37 minutes in the victory.

Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks' starting center, who embraces the high expectations placed on the team this season.

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What they’re saying

“I've been dealing with that since before I stepped into the league. Honestly, it's really the same thing. It's been the story of my career. Dealing with expectations that are lofty. On top of that, the expectations I have for myself are even higher than what people give me. So I have a lot of work to do. But I've been used to it. So it's a blessing to have pressure.”

— Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks Center

“I'm good. I'm chilling. I'm ready for my moment. I'm ready for my name to get called, whenever it is. … So just whenever it's Jose's time, whenever that time is, I'm ready.”

— Jose Alvarado, Knicks Guard

What’s next

The Knicks will face the Boston Celtics on Thursday, with the potential to secure the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs still in play.

The takeaway

Jalen Brunson's late-game heroics proved once again that the Knicks have one of the NBA's best closers, a crucial asset as the team looks to make a deep playoff run. This victory over the surging Hawks also showed the Knicks' resilience and ability to win tough games against quality opponents, building momentum heading into the postseason.