The Knicks came one step closer to advancing on Tuesday night, showcasing a powerful second half to defeat the Atlanta Hawks 126-97 in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series at Madison Square Garden. This win put New York ahead 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.
Jalen Brunson delivered his strongest outing of the series, scoring 39 points on 15-of-23 shooting while adding eight assists and just one turnover. With the game tightening early in the fourth quarter, Brunson helped break it open and sent the Garden crowd into a frenzy.
The Knicks controlled the game in areas that often decide playoff matchups: rebounding, paint scoring and defensive pressure. New York held a 48-27 edge on the glass and outscored Atlanta 60-42 in the paint.
Karl-Anthony Towns added 16 points and 14 rebounds, continuing a productive series in the frontcourt. OG Anunoby also posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, helping anchor a defense that limited Atlanta’s rhythm for most of the night.
Atlanta never found sustained offense. Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 18 points and 10 rebounds, but the team shot poorly from deep and received little production from key scorers. CJ McCollum finished with six points on 3-of-10 shooting.
The result reflected the Knicks’ sharper urgency after the series was tied 2-2. New York defended with force, ran in transition, and avoided the late-game miscues that had hurt it earlier in the matchup.
Now the pressure shifts south. Game 6 is set for Atlanta, where the Knicks will try to close the series and avoid a deciding Game 7 back in New York. If Brunson continues to dictate pace and the Knicks maintain their physical edge, they will have a strong chance to finish the job.
