Jalen Brunson explodes for 39 points as Knicks dominate Hawks in Game 5
Apr 28, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) brings the ball up court against Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the second quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
After struggling through the early games of the first-round series, Jalen Brunson finally found his rhythm when it mattered most. The Knicks point guard erupted for 39 points on 15-for-23 shooting, adding eight assists and just one turnover in a dominant performance that propelled New York to a crucial Game 5 victory.
« The ball went in, but just happy we were able to keep the lead, » Brunson said. « They’re a team that’s capable of going on runs, as you know, from early in the series. But I liked the way we played in the fourth and kept the lead. »
Strategic adjustments unlock Knicks offense
The turning point came when Hawks coach Quin Snyder moved Dyson Daniels off Brunson to guard Karl-Anthony Towns, who had torched Atlanta with a triple-double in Game 4. The defensive switch backfired spectacularly, as it freed Brunson from the defensive pressure that had limited him to sub-40% shooting in previous games while Towns continued his stellar play.
Towns finished with 16 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists, serving as the offensive hub that created flow for the entire Knicks attack. OG Anunoby continued his excellent series with 17 points and 10 rebounds, including seven boards in the first quarter alone – his most in a quarter since 2020.
« It’s another dimension that we’ve been able to do, » Brunson explained about using Towns as a facilitator. « KAT’s been making great decisions. I think us, playing off-ball, the screens that we’re setting, the pace that we’re cutting, has helped him with that. »
The Knicks dominated in the paint, outscoring Atlanta by 18 points inside while taking just 26 3-point attempts – well below their season average of 38.2. This physical approach overwhelmed the Hawks’ smaller lineup and created easy scoring opportunities.
Brunson saved his best for last, pouring in 17 fourth-quarter points to eliminate any possibility of a Hawks comeback. The performance continued his tradition of clutch playoff moments, joining previous 39-point efforts against Boston and 40-point games against Philadelphia and Detroit in recent postseasons.
« It’s been a multitude of things. We picked it up as a unit, » Brunson said. « They’ve also gotten a lot of looks and we were lucky they were missing. I think us being on the same page, both sides of the ball, was a factor. »
The Knicks have now outscored the Hawks by 52 points over the past nine quarters, completely reversing the series momentum after falling behind 2-1. Coach Mike Brown praised his team’s resilience after enduring two heartbreaking one-point losses earlier in the series.
« They’re resilient, » Brown said. « Our guys have been through a lot so far this year and continue to go through it. They’ve been through it as a group. There’s nothing that will deter this group, this veteran group. »
With the series shifting back to Atlanta, the Knicks need just one more victory to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where a potential collision course with the Boston Celtics awaits.
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