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Knicks Edge Hawks in Playoff Thriller
19 Apr
Summary
- Knicks led Hawks 57-55 at halftime of Game 1.
- Jalen Brunson scored 22 points in the first half.
- Hawks relied on balanced scoring despite injuries.
The 2026 NBA postseason tipped off with the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks battling fiercely in Game 1, which took place on Saturday, April 18. At the end of the second quarter, the Knicks narrowly led the Hawks with a score of 57-55.
Jalen Brunson was instrumental for the Knicks, pouring in 22 points by halftime, though his scoring pace slowed in the second quarter. OG Anunoby also contributed double-digit points for New York. The Hawks, facing height concerns due to an injury, adopted smaller lineups and demonstrated a collective scoring effort, led by CJ McCollum, Onyeka Okongwu, and Jalen Johnson.
The game, broadcast on Amazon Prime Video, is the first of a playoff series that began following a competitive Play-In Tournament. The winner of this matchup will advance in the quest for the NBA championship.
