Key Takeaways:
- Jalen Brunson led the New York Knicks with 39 points in a 126-97 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, moving his team to a 3-2 advantage in the first-round playoff series
- The Knicks have now recorded back-to-back emphatic wins, entering Game 6 on Thursday in Atlanta with the opportunity to clinch the series
- The Hawks were heavily outrebounded 48-27 and managed only four fast-break points against New York’s 13
Playoff Series Momentum Shifts in Knicks’ Favour
Jalen Brunson delivered an outstanding 39-point display, nearly matching his own franchise-best for playoff 40-point efforts, as the New York Knicks dispatched the Atlanta Hawks 126-97 at Madison Square Garden. With this decisive result, the Knicks assumed a 3-2 lead in their first-round series and are now just one win away from progressing to the second round for a fourth consecutive season.
After previously trailing 2-1 in the series, following Atlanta’s narrow one-point triumphs in Games 2 and 3, New York have demonstrated clear superiority throughout the last two contests. In Game 4, the Knicks cruised to a 114-98 victory in Atlanta, leading by 24 at one stage, and maintained that dominance on Tuesday, with the margin peaking at 32 points and never dipping below double figures after half-time.
KNICKS TAKE GAME 5 pic.twitter.com/T4gVuQCSSw
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 29, 2026
Statistical Overview and Team Performances
| Team | Final Score | Rebounds | Fast-Break Points | Leading Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks | 126 | 48 | 13 | Jalen Brunson (39) |
| Atlanta Hawks | 97 | 27 | 4 | Jalen Johnson (18) |
Alongside Brunson’s headline performance, OG Anunoby contributed 17 points and 10 boards, while Karl-Anthony Towns registered 16 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists. New York’s dominance on the glass and in transition play underpinned their victory. The Knicks shot 58.5% from the field in the first half, establishing a 64-48 advantage at the interval.
For Atlanta, Jalen Johnson finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Dyson Daniels chipped in with 17 points, but CJ McCollum, pivotal in Atlanta’s earlier victories, was restricted to just six. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu each provided 16 points for the Hawks.
Game Narrative and Key Moments
The Knicks set the tone early, converting eight of their first 12 attempts before surging ahead with a 9-0 run late in the opening quarter. By the period’s end, New York held a 35-22 lead. Brunson then fuelled an 8-0 spree in the second quarter, ensuring a comfortable buffer at half-time.
New York’s grip on the contest tightened in the third quarter, and any remaining doubt evaporated in the fourth when Brunson sparked a 12-0 run with a three-point play and a three-pointer, extending the lead to 110-82.
Post-Game Reactions and Next Steps
Knicks reserve Jordan Clarkson assessed the upcoming challenge in Atlanta: “I know they’re going to try to bring a lot of force down there,” Clarkson said. “So we’ve got to be prepared and we know what’s coming, so we’ll be ready.”
Brunson remained vigilant despite recent successes, adding, “Anything can happen in this series, so we’ve just got to be locked in for Game 6,” he said.
Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels acknowledged New York’s physicality: “I just think that their mindset was to come out and try to bully us and be physical, and they did that,” Daniels said.
The series now heads to Atlanta for Game 6, where the Knicks will have the first of two opportunities to secure their place in the next round.
