Knicks Outlast Hawks in Game 1 Behind Brunson's 28 Points

New York's depth and balanced scoring help them take series opener against Atlanta.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 5:22am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the action and energy of a basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of orange, red, and neutral colors representing the players, court, and crowd.The Knicks' balanced scoring attack and physical defense proved too much for the Hawks in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.NYC Today

Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 28 points, including 22 before halftime, to lead the New York Knicks to a 113-102 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. The Knicks overcame a second-half shooting slump by Brunson with contributions from Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart to build a 19-point lead and hold off the Hawks.

Why it matters

The Knicks' win in the series opener at Madison Square Garden gives them home-court advantage as they look to make a deep playoff run. Brunson's performance continues his strong season, while the team's depth and balanced scoring could be a key factor against the Hawks.

The details

Brunson hit his first six shots and scored 22 points in the first half, but struggled in the second half, going 0-for-7 from the field. However, the Knicks' supporting cast stepped up, with Towns scoring 25 points, Anunoby adding 19, and Hart recording a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds. The game featured some physical play, with Brunson getting kicked in the groin, Towns getting elbowed in the head, and Mitchell Robinson also taking a groin shot.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 19, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The players

Jalen Brunson

The Knicks' starting point guard, who scored a game-high 28 points and facilitated the offense despite his second-half shooting struggles.

Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks' starting center, who scored 25 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists to help the team's balanced scoring effort.

OG Anunoby

A Knicks starting forward, who contributed 19 points to the win.

Josh Hart

A Knicks reserve forward, who recorded a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

The Hawks' starting guard, who was held to just 6-for-17 shooting and 17 points by the Knicks' relentless perimeter defense.

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What they’re saying

“It was a hard-fought win. It was physical. It was a grind-it-out game.”

— Jalen Brunson, Knicks Point Guard

“It's really important, you never know what's going to happen. There's going to be highs and lows of a season, highs and lows of a game, and to be able to fight through and still find a way to impact, is very important for us, especially this point of the season.”

— Jalen Brunson, Knicks Point Guard

“Luka was out and that provided an opportunity where there was a need and he was prepared for that with how good of a player he was. It was in some ways foreshadowing, you could feel it. You knew when he was doing some of the things he was doing in that series, it was there.”

— Quin Snyder, Hawks Head Coach

What’s next

The series will continue with Game 2 at Madison Square Garden on Monday, April 21, 2026.

The takeaway

The Knicks' depth and balanced scoring proved to be the difference in Game 1, as they were able to overcome Jalen Brunson's second-half shooting struggles. This win gives the Knicks home-court advantage in the series, and their ability to get contributions from multiple players could be a key factor as the playoffs progress.