The New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 on Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Game 1 of their first-round NBA playoff series, with Jalen Brunson leading the way with 28 points and seven assists as New York took control after halftime at Madison Square Garden.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter
New York opened with a strong offensive rhythm and carried a 30-24 lead after one. The Knicks shot efficiently early and set the tone with balanced scoring, while Atlanta stayed close behind steady guard play.
Second Quarter
The Hawks answered in the second, outscoring the Knicks 31-27 to even the game at 57-57 by halftime. Atlanta generated quality looks from the perimeter and moved the ball well, finishing the half with enough offensive flow to erase New York’s early edge.
Third Quarter
The game shifted in the third. New York outscored Atlanta 26-19, tightened up defensively, and regained control entering the fourth with an 83-76 lead. The Knicks limited second-chance opportunities and got timely baskets from their core scorers.
Fourth Quarter
Atlanta made a few pushes in the final period, but New York answered each one. The Knicks scored 30 points in the fourth, matched their first-quarter output, and held off the Hawks down the stretch with efficient half-court execution and consistent free-throw shooting.
Key Performers
Jalen Brunson, Knicks: 28 points and 7 assists while leading all scorers. Brunson controlled the pace late and delivered the steady shot creation New York needed.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks: 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Towns gave New York interior scoring, rim protection, and another reliable option alongside Brunson.
Josh Hart, Knicks: 14 rebounds. Hart’s work on the glass helped New York finish with a 45-40 rebounding edge.
CJ McCollum, Hawks: 26 points to lead Atlanta. He kept the Hawks within reach for long stretches with productive perimeter scoring.
Jalen Johnson, Hawks: 23 points and 7 rebounds. Johnson provided athletic finishing and secondary offense throughout the night.
Dyson Daniels, Hawks: 9 rebounds and 11 assists. Daniels helped Atlanta create offense, even as the team struggled to keep pace after halftime.
NerdSports Stat: New York won by 11 despite Atlanta making more field goals from three-point range overall volume-wise from the floor, because the Knicks hit 48.0% from deep and finished plus-13 at the free-throw line.
Game Analysis
This was a disciplined Game 1 win for New York. The Knicks did not need a huge scoring run to separate; instead, they built the result through efficiency and control. They shot 47.5% from the field, 48.0% from three, and 83.3% at the line, compared to Atlanta’s 43.7% overall and 63.2% from the stripe.
The biggest difference came from shot quality and conversion in key moments. Atlanta actually finished with 25 assists and hit 14 three-pointers, but the Hawks left points behind at the foul line and could not match New York’s execution in the third quarter. The Knicks also received high-level production from their top two offensive options, with Brunson and Towns combining for 53 points.
Defensively, New York’s third quarter stood out. Holding Atlanta to 19 points after the break changed the shape of the game. Once the Knicks reclaimed the lead, they stayed organized in the half court and avoided the kind of empty possessions that could have opened the door for a late comeback.
Closing Context
With the win, the Knicks take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series. New York, which finished the regular season 53-29, protected home court in the opener, while Atlanta will look to respond in Game 2 before the series shifts venues.
Frequently Asked Questions
The New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 on April 18, 2026.
Jalen Brunson scored 28 points on 47.5% shooting.
After the win, New York sits 53-29 in the Eastern Conference.
Jalen Brunson was the standout performer with 28 points and 7 assists.
