Knicks Crush Hawks, Start to Finish, to Take 3-2 Lead. NY 126 Atlanta 97

April 30, 2026 LouV 2025-26 0
Jalen Brunson scored 39 pts on 15-23 shooting to lead NY.

After blowing out the Hawks in Atlanta to tie the best-of-7 series at 2 games apiece, the series came back to NY where the Knicks blew out the Hawks again, 126-97, on a Tuesday night. NY takes a 3-2 lead in the series, as it heads back to Atlanta.

The Knicks — who lost games 2 and 3 by a point each — laid down an all-out assault again from the get go, and kept the attack going all night. NY led 35-22 after 1 quarter, by 16 pts at the half, by 20 pts in the 3rd, and by 32 pts near the end of the 4th quarter.

Jalen Brunson was in top form, leading the NY charge with 39 pts on 15-23 shooting (3-5 from 3) with 8 assists. He was dancing and bedeviling All-League defender Dyson Daniels all night. Karl-Anthony Towns attacked the rim again and again for 16 pts, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. OG Anunoby had 17 pts (on 5-8 shooting), 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block.

Everyone contributed — and the Knick DEFENSE was relentless. CJ McCollum was limited to 6 pts on 3-10 shooting and Jonathan Kuminga was limited to 13 pts on 4-10 shooting (1-5 from 3). Jalen Johnson led Atlanta with 18 pts, Onyeka Okongwu had 16 pts, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker broke free for 16 pts — but Atlanta was never close from the 2nd quarter onward.

“We talked about boxing out, our guys did an unbelievable job on the glass,” said Knick coach Mike Brown afterwards. “I tell you, OG and KAT were monsters between the two of them — 22 defensive rebounds; they both had a double-double. They were phenomenal. It’s huge for us to keep these guys off the glass; it’s huge for us to keep them out of transition. They had 4 fast break points. They’re going to come even faster, harder in game 6. Our guys did a good job of taking care of the basketball. That’s another thing that Atlanta does — they turn you over. Our guys did a good job of taking care of the basketball, and more importantly when we did turn it over they weren’t really live ball turnovers that hurt you in transition.”

1. Knicks Go on 12-2 Run to End 1st Quarter

The Knicks came out aggressive at a packed, electric Madison Square Garden, but Atlanta hung with them through most of the 1st quarter, until the last 3:23, when NY went on a 12-2 run to take a 35-22 lead.

The highlight of the run was when Mitchell Robinson was fouled inside, missed both free throws, but OG Anunoby snuck in for an offensive rebound, fed Miles McBride who missed a jumper, but Mitchell Robinson slammed home the offensive rebound.

A close up look:

2. KAT & Brunson Knicks to 22-Pt Lead in 2nd Quarter

Karl-Anthony Towns continued to power to the hoop, as he had done in game 4.

But unlike game 4 — when Towns continuously fed OG Anunoby for passes off curls underneath — Atlanta was prepared and defended that play — but the Knicks were prepared to counter Atlanta’s counter — and went for action on the right side that fed open 3’s for the likes of Jose Alvarado — as explained in this video:

Jalen Brunson joined KAT in the scoring assault for NY, and the Knick D kept Atlanta from going off.

OG Anunoby joined Brunson in the scoring assault — going to the rim for drives or slams, or hitting 3’s off the pass from the corner.

“OG Anunoby makes u earn yours on one end and on other end he’s shooting the ball with confidence so close out, you pay,” noted NBA Analyst Ross Kreines. “Nice job here, use of jab step, shot fake, no wasted dribbles, truly understands how to use his strength, puts his defender under the rim then punishes him and the rim.”

NY led by 22 pts in the 3rd quarter, before Atlanta pulled back within 14. NY led by 16 at the half.

3. OG Costars with Brunson in 3rd

OG continued to co-start with Brunson at start of the 3rd — Brunson hitting a 3, then OG hitting consecutive 3’s to up the Knick lead to 18 pts.

KAT and Bridges scored as well, and late in the period Jordan Clarkson, Mitchell Robinson, and Jose Alvarado pushed the pace — Robinson with a slam off a Miles McBride alleyoop pass, and Alvarado with a 3 off a Clarkson pass to put NY up by 20 just before the end of the quarter.

4. Brunson Keeps Tearing Into Atlanta in 4th

There was no Knick letup in the 4th — as Jalen Brunson put it into overdrive — dancing and prancing past All-League defender Dyson Daniels for bucket after bucket, including 3’s.

More:

5. Knicks Empty Bench with 3:28 Left

A Brunson 3 put NY up 116-89 with 3:28 left. NY emptied the bench, bringing in the 3rd team of Tyler Kolek, Ariel Hukporti, Jeremy Sochan, Landry Shamet, and Pacome Dadiet.

Etcetera

Josh Hart played well but hurt his back and sat down after 30 minutes played. He is questionable for game 6.

The Boxscore

https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401869392

 

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