Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Knicks Crush Hawks 126-97, Brunson Scores 39

4/30/2026

48 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Knicks Dominate Hawks

Knicks beat Hawks 126-97 in Game 5, taking a 3-2 series lead.
Jalen Brunson scored 39 points on 15-of-23 shooting, added eight assists and one turnover.
The Knicks outrebounded Atlanta 48-27 and held the Hawks to 42.7% shooting and 27.7% from three.
Josh Hart was listed as questionable for Game 6 at State Farm Arena.
Jock Landale missed Game 6 with an ankle injury.

Summary

Hart Stifles Johnson

Hart's defense limited Jalen Johnson to 19.2 points on 42.9% shooting and 26.9% from three.
Hart ranks fifth in playoff deflections per game and ties for sixth in rebounds per game.
If Hart misses Game 6, coach Mike Brown may start Deuce McBride or Landry Shamet, though neither matches his size versus Johnson.
The Knicks bench outscored Atlanta’s reserves in Game 5, providing a +56 minute advantage.

Summary

Snyder Scrambles

Coach Quin Snyder kept Corey Kispert, who shot 0-7 from three and scored zero, in the loss.
Only center Jock Landale was available, forcing the Hawks to rely on Mouhamed Gueye and Tony Bradley for rebounds.
Kispert’s poor defense let Knicks guard Jose Alvarado repeatedly exploit Atlanta’s perimeter.
Atlanta’s three-point shooting fell to among the worst in the playoffs, prompting Snyder to consider Buddy Hield or minutes for Zaccharie Risacher.

History

Historical Context

Since their 1990s playoff duels—highlighted by the Knicks’ 57-25 1993-94 season and a seven-game 1994 Eastern Conference Finals—the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers have built a rivalry defined by bench firepower and clutch moments such as Reggie Miller’s 1995 choke-sign. The 2024 semifinals echo that history, with both teams again trading momentum in a tightly contested series.

1 of 4

Knicks Dominate Hawks

Knicks beat Hawks 126-97 in Game 5, taking a 3-2 series lead.
Jalen Brunson scored 39 points on 15-of-23 shooting, added eight assists and one turnover.
The Knicks outrebounded Atlanta 48-27 and held the Hawks to 42.7% shooting and 27.7% from three.
Josh Hart was listed as questionable for Game 6 at State Farm Arena.
Jock Landale missed Game 6 with an ankle injury.

1 / 4