Jalen Brunson scores 39 as New York Knicks rout Atlanta Hawks in Game 5
Jalen Brunson scored 39 points to lead the New York Knicks to a commanding 126-97 victory over the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, taking a 3-2 lead in their Eastern Conference quarter-final series.
The dominant home win pushes the franchise to the brink of the semi-finals following two consecutive blowout victories.
New York’s talismanic point guard exploded for 17 points in the fourth quarter alone to ensure there would be no late comeback.
Tactical shift frees up Knicks star
The 27-year-old had struggled with his shooting efficiency earlier in the matchup while being closely guarded by Dyson Daniels.
However, Atlanta head coach Quin Snyder opted to move his elite perimeter defender onto Karl-Anthony Towns for Game 5.
This adjustment provided the American international with the breathing room needed to dictate the tempo of the contest.
“It’s like a chess match. If someone makes a move, you’ve got to make another move.”
Brunson added that the team must be ready for anything and wait to see how their opponents react.
Suffocating defence seals the rout
The supporting cast in New York proved vital on both ends of the floor to secure the 29-point margin.
OG Anunoby delivered an unsung performance with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Towns added 16 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.
Defensively, the hosts restricted their opponents to just 42.7% shooting from the field and a dismal 27.7% from beyond the arc over their last two outings.
Veteran guard CJ McCollum was heavily contained, managing just six points in his lowest-scoring output since arriving in Georgia in January.
“It’s been a multitude of things. We picked it up as a unit. I think us being on the same page, both sides of the ball, was a factor.”
Playoff pedigree shines through
High-scoring post-season exploits have quickly become a trademark for the franchise player.
He previously recorded three consecutive 40-point games during the 2024 first round against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Head coach Mike Brown praised the phenomenal output, noting that the squad has developed a thick skin throughout a rocky opening round.
The team will now look to close out the series and advance when they travel back to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday.