Knicks Defeat Hawks 113-102 in Game 1 Behind Brunson's Early Scoring

New York looks to build on last season's playoff run with a Game 1 victory over Atlanta.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 6:03pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game, with the players and court broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes, capturing the dynamic movement and energy of the sport.The Knicks' playoff opener against the Hawks showcases the raw intensity and competitive spirit of the NBA postseason.NYC Today

The New York Knicks opened their playoff campaign with a 113-102 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 of their first-round series. Led by an early scoring explosion from point guard Jalen Brunson, the Knicks were able to establish control early and hold off a late Hawks comeback attempt.

Why it matters

The Knicks' playoff run last season ended in disappointment, and they'll be looking to take the next step this year. A Game 1 win over a tough Hawks team gives them momentum heading into the rest of the series.

The details

Brunson scored 18 of his game-high 28 points in the first quarter, setting the tone early for the Knicks. New York built a double-digit lead and was able to maintain it throughout the game, despite a late push from the Hawks led by Trae Young's 24 points.

  • The game was played on April 19, 2026.

The players

Jalen Brunson

The Knicks' starting point guard, who led the team with 28 points in the Game 1 victory.

Trae Young

The Hawks' star point guard, who scored a team-high 24 points in the losing effort.

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What’s next

The Knicks and Hawks will face off in Game 2 on April 21, 2026 in New York.

The takeaway

The Knicks' Game 1 victory over the Hawks shows they are determined to build on last season's playoff run and make a deeper postseason push this year. Brunson's early scoring outburst set the tone and will be a key factor if the Knicks want to advance past the Hawks in this series.