Knicks roll past Hawks for huge Game 1 playoff victory
New York Post • • general
Key Points:
- The New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 in Game 1 at Madison Square Garden, overcoming a porous first-half defense with a strong second-half performance.
- Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 28 points, including a perfect 8-for-8 shooting in the first quarter, though he struggled after that initial burst.
- Karl-Anthony Towns had a slow start but finished strong with 25 points and 14 rebounds, while OG Anunoby contributed 18 points and eight rebounds despite a minor ankle injury.
- The Hawks, led by CJ McCollum’s 26 points and Jalen Johnson’s 23, kept the game competitive, cutting the Knicks' lead to eight late in the fourth quarter before New York stabilized.
- The Knicks’ defensive adjustments in the second half, especially in the third quarter, helped them outscore the Hawks by nine points in the second half and extend their NBA-best record to 47-2 when leading entering the fourth quarter.
