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Knicks Crush Hawks 126-97, Brunson Scores 39

4/30/2026

31 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Knicks Crush Hawks

The New York Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks 126-97 in Game 5 on Tuesday, April 29, 2026, taking a 3-2 series lead.
Jalen Brunson scored 39 points on 15-of-23 shooting and recorded eight assists.
The Knicks shot 57% overall (58.5% in the first half) versus the Hawks’ 42.7%.
They will try to close the series in Game 6 on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET in Atlanta.

Summary

Knicks Dominate

The Knicks fanbase packed Madison Square Garden and concourse, creating a raucous atmosphere that helped the team win 126-97 in Game 5.
New York, 6-6 in its last 12 home postseason games, saw Karl-Anthony Towns claim his series play proves he will earn First Team All-Defense honors.
The opening-round rivalry intensified after the Hawks won two one-point games earlier in the series, with New York’s dominant blowout in Game 5 shifting momentum.

History

Historical Context

Entering 2000-01 as defending champions, the Los Angeles Lakers overcame an early slump, closed the regular season with an eight-game winning streak and a 56-26 record, then swept the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. The victory launched a 15-1 postseason run, illustrating how dominant early games have repeatedly reshaped series momentum in NBA playoffs.

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Knicks Crush Hawks

The New York Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks 126-97 in Game 5 on Tuesday, April 29, 2026, taking a 3-2 series lead.
Jalen Brunson scored 39 points on 15-of-23 shooting and recorded eight assists.
The Knicks shot 57% overall (58.5% in the first half) versus the Hawks’ 42.7%.
They will try to close the series in Game 6 on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET in Atlanta.

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