Knicks Take Game 1 Over Hawks

Brunson and Towns lead New York to victory in playoff opener

Apr. 19, 2026 at 8:45am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action of a basketball game between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks, with the players' movements and the court's lines broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color.The Knicks' balanced attack and stifling defense proved too much for the Hawks in Game 1 of their playoff series.NYC Today

The New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference playoff series. Knicks guard Jalen Brunson led the way with 28 points, while center Karl-Anthony Towns added a double-double to help New York take the series opener.

Why it matters

This win 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 regroup quickly to avoid falling into an early hole against their division rival.

The details

Brunson shot 10-of-18 from the field and added 6 assists to pace the Knicks' offense. Towns recorded 18 points and 12 rebounds, providing a strong presence in the paint. The Knicks led by as many as 15 points in the second half and held off a late Hawks comeback attempt to secure the victory.

  • The game was played on April 19, 2026.

The players

Jalen Brunson

The Knicks' starting point guard, who led the team in scoring in Game 1.

Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks' starting center, who recorded a double-double in the win.

Atlanta Hawks

The Knicks' opponent in the Eastern Conference playoff series.

New York Knicks

The home team that won Game 1 of the series.

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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 rest of the team followed their lead.”

— Tom Thibodeau, Knicks Head Coach

“We didn't match their intensity in the first half, and that's something we need to fix heading into Game 2. But I'm confident our guys will respond.”

— Quin Snyder, Hawks Head Coach

What’s next

Game 2 of the series will be played in New York on April 21, 2026.

The takeaway

The Knicks' strong performance in Game 1 gives them an early advantage in the series, but the Hawks will look to even things up in the next matchup. Both teams will need to make adjustments as the playoffs continue.