The New York Knicks took control of the series Tuesday night, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 126-97 in Game 5 on April 28, 2026, to claim a 3-2 lead in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
From the closing moments of the first quarter, New York set the tone and never looked back. The Knicks built momentum with a dominant scoring run and extended their lead to as many as 32 points, keeping Atlanta out of striking distance for the entire second half. It marked a second straight convincing win for New York as the series has shifted firmly in their favor.
Jalen Brunson led the charge with a game-high 39 points, continuing his strong playoff performance. He was supported by OG Anunoby, who added 17 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns, who contributed 16. The Knicks’ balanced scoring and physical presence overwhelmed Atlanta on both ends of the floor.
For the Hawks, Jalen Johnson finished with 18 points, while Dyson Daniels added 17. Onyeka Okongwu and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each chipped in 16, but Atlanta struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm throughout the night.
After explosive outings earlier in the series, the Hawks’ offense stalled, shooting just 13-of-42 from beyond the arc. The struggles were compounded by New York’s dominance on the glass, where the Knicks outrebounded Atlanta 48-27, controlling second-chance opportunities and dictating the pace.
A major shift came from CJ McCollum, who had been instrumental in Atlanta’s two wins but was held to just six points on 3-of-10 shooting, along with four turnovers. His limited impact made it difficult for the Hawks to generate momentum offensively.
The loss follows a 114-98 defeat in Game 4, signaling a clear momentum swing toward New York after the series was previously tied.
Now facing elimination, the Hawks return home to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday, April 30, with tipoff set for 7:00 PM EST. It’s a must-win situation as they look to extend the series and regain control on their home
