NEW YORK – The New York Knicks kicked off their Eastern Conference playoff series with an impressive 113-102 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night. Jalen Brunson led the charge for the Knicks, scoring 28 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns made a significant impact in the second half, netting 19 of his total 25 points.
This game marked the Knicks’ first postseason appearance under head coach Mike Brown, following a series of playoff runs under Tom Thibodeau. Last year’s journey to the Eastern Conference finals was the franchise’s first since 2000, and the team is looking to build on that momentum as the No. 3 seed in the East.
OG Anunoby contributed 18 points, while Josh Hart added a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds, showcasing the depth of the Knicks’ roster as they prepare for Game 2 on Monday night.
For the Hawks, CJ McCollum led the scoring with 26 points, and Jalen Johnson added 23, demonstrating the offensive capabilities of Atlanta, who finished the regular season strong with a 20-6 record after the All-Star break to secure the No. 6 seed.
Brunson emphasized the need for focus going into Game 2, stating, “We know that they’re going to be ready for Game 2. So quick turnaround and extreme focus.”
Brunson’s performance was particularly strong in the first quarter, where he scored 19 points and helped the Knicks to a 30-24 lead. However, Towns took over in the second half after a slow start, where he had only six points at halftime.
“We did a great job as a team just fighting and continuing to find ways to score and also impact winning,” said Towns, highlighting the team’s resilience.
The game featured a fast-paced opening, with both teams shooting well initially. However, the third quarter saw a slowdown in scoring, spurred by a technical foul on McCollum and intentional fouls against Knicks center Mitchell Robinson.
As the Knicks pulled ahead, Towns hit a crucial 3-pointer, leading a 10-0 run that put the team up 106-87 with around 4.5 minutes left. Despite a late surge from the Hawks, who cut the lead to 106-98, Towns responded with a basket to restore the double-digit advantage.
Hawks head coach Quin Snyder acknowledged the fight shown by his team, saying, “I like the way we came back at the end of the game. They were resilient in that situation, it was just too little, too late.”
As the series progresses, the Knicks will look to maintain their momentum, while the Hawks will aim to regroup and come out strong in Game 2. Fans can expect an exciting matchup as both teams vie for a crucial playoff victory.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
