Knicks Defeat Hawks 113-102 in Game 1 Playoff Opener

Brunson and Towns lead New York to victory in first-round matchup

Apr. 19, 2026 at 8:24am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game in motion, with the players and court fragmented into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of vibrant colors.The Knicks' decisive Game 1 victory over the Hawks sets the stage for an intense first-round playoff series between the division rivals.NYC Today

The New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on Saturday night. Jalen Brunson scored a team-high 28 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 25 points, 19 of which came in the second half, to power the Knicks to the win.

Why it matters

This victory gives the Knicks home-court advantage in the series as they look to advance to the next round of the NBA playoffs. The Hawks will need to make adjustments before Game 2 to avoid falling into an early hole against their division rival.

The details

The Knicks jumped out to an early lead and were able to maintain it throughout the game, thanks in large part to strong performances from Brunson and Towns. Brunson shot efficiently from the field, while Towns dominated in the paint in the second half to help New York pull away.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 19, 2026.

The players

Jalen Brunson

The Knicks' starting point guard, who scored a team-high 28 points in the win.

Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks' star center, who scored 25 points, including 19 in the second half, to help lead his team to victory.

Atlanta Hawks

The Knicks' opponent in the first-round playoff series, who were defeated in Game 1.

New York Knicks

The home team, who won Game 1 of the first-round playoff series against the Hawks.

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What’s next

The two teams will face off again in Game 2 on Monday, April 21, 2026 in New York.

The takeaway

The Knicks' strong performance in Game 1, led by the duo of Brunson and Towns, gives them an early advantage in the series as they look to advance to the next round of the playoffs.