Knicks Defeat Hawks 113-102 in Game 1

Brunson and Towns lead New York to victory in playoff opener

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:38am

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A fractured, abstract painting depicting a basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into colorful, angular geometric shapes overlapping across the canvas.The Knicks' playoff victory showcases their star power and team chemistry through a cubist, geometric interpretation of the game action.NYC Today

The New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference playoff series. Jalen Brunson scored a team-high 28 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points, 19 of which came in the second half. OG Anunoby also contributed 19 points for the Knicks.

Why it matters

This win gives the Knicks an early advantage in the series as they look to advance in the playoffs. The Knicks have not won a playoff series since 2013, so this victory could be a sign of their postseason resurgence.

The details

The Knicks were led by strong performances from their two star players. Brunson scored efficiently throughout the game, while Towns took over in the second half to help the Knicks pull away. Anunoby provided a valuable scoring boost off the bench for New York.

  • The game was played on 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, 19 of which came in the second half to help seal the victory.

OG Anunoby

A key bench player for the Knicks, who contributed 19 points in the win.

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What they’re saying

“We came out with a lot of energy and focus tonight. Jalen and KAT really set the tone for us, and the whole team stepped up when we needed it.”

— Tom Thibodeau, Knicks Head Coach

What’s next

The Knicks and Hawks will face off in Game 2 of the series on April 21, 2026.

The takeaway

The Knicks' win in Game 1 showcases their ability to win playoff games behind the leadership of their star players. If they can continue this level of play, they could make a deep postseason run and end their long drought without a playoff series victory.