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Jalen Brunson Leads Knicks to Game 1 Win Over Hawks
Brunson's 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists power New York to 113-102 victory in series opener.
Apr. 19, 2026 at 1:22am
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The Knicks' balanced attack and stifling defense stymied the Hawks in Game 1, setting the stage for a potential series upset.NYC TodayThe New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 in Game 1 of their first-round NBA playoff series. Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with a game-high 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks. The Knicks outscored the Hawks 22-13 in fast-break points and 13-7 in second-chance points, despite the Hawks winning the offensive rebounding battle.
Why it matters
The Knicks' Game 1 win sets the tone for the series, as they were able to overcome the Hawks' size advantage and win in a style that was not necessarily expected. The Knicks' ability to limit the Hawks' transition opportunities and capitalize on their own second-chance points could be a key factor going forward.
The details
The Knicks jumped out to an early lead thanks to Brunson's hot shooting in the first quarter. While the Hawks made a few runs to keep the game close, the Knicks were able to maintain their composure and pull away in the second half. New York's defense held the Hawks to just 47 second-half points and 43.7% shooting for the game. The Knicks also did a good job of limiting the Hawks' fast-break opportunities, which is typically one of Atlanta's strengths.
- The game was played on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
- Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026.
The players
Jalen Brunson
The Knicks' starting point guard, who scored a game-high 28 points and added 5 rebounds and 7 assists.
Karl-Anthony Towns
The Knicks' starting center, who scored 25 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, dished out 4 assists, and blocked 3 shots.
Josh Hart
The Knicks' starting small forward, who scored 11 points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.
Mitchell Robinson
The Knicks' backup center, who was limited to just 15 minutes due to foul trouble and only grabbed 4 rebounds.
Jalen Johnson
The Hawks' starting power forward, who scored 23 points and added 6 rebounds and 3 assists, but was relatively quiet in the fourth quarter.
What they’re saying
“We did what we were supposed to do, but not in the way many expected.”
— James L. Edwards III, NBA Writer
“Winning the rebound battle is nice, but if the Hawks can't create more easy transition opportunities, it won't matter.”
— John Hollinger, NBA Analyst
“Atlanta needs [Jalen Johnson] to show why he was an All-Star.”
— Shakeia Taylor, NBA Writer
What’s next
Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026, where the Knicks will look to take a 2-0 lead before the series shifts to Atlanta.
The takeaway
The Knicks proved they can win in different ways, relying on Jalen Brunson's scoring and their team defense to overcome the Hawks' size advantage. If the Knicks can continue to limit the Hawks' transition opportunities and get more consistent production from their big men, they could be on their way to an early series victory.
