The New York Knicks beat the bone marrow out of the Atlanta Hawks in a 126-97 Game 5 assault.
After losing Game 2 by 1 point and Game 3 by 1 point, the Knicks won the next two games by a combined 37 points, distancing themselves from the competition.
Detroit’s in a 3-1 hole to the Magic and Boston has no solution to the Joel Embiid problem aside from just chucking up a ton of 3 pointers.
Jalen Brunson Game 5 masterclass
Jalen Brunson turned the 4th quarter into target practice, the mad king sniping down from high castles—cold, emotionless—empty gym drills, Rick barking in his ear, no Capri Sun til you hit 24 more step back 17-footers.
He scored 39 points, 17 in the 4th quarter, singlehandedly strangling the life out of them—possession-by-possession, learning them something, an assassin removing all witnesses—John Wick making a point.
Here’s what Jalen Brunson did to put the Hawks down Game 5:
- 35 minutes
- 39 points (17 in 4th)
- 15-for-23 from the field
- 3 threes
- 6 free throws
- 8 assists
- 3 rebounds
Jalen Brunson 39 PTS, 3 REBS, 8 ASTS, 3/5 3PT, 6/8 FT, 74% TS on 15/23 FG vs Hawks pic.twitter.com/wvIlsDToXj https://t.co/bnrHoQE5nU
— NBA Performances (@NBARewinds) April 29, 2026
Brunson now has 22 games of 30+ as a Knick—most in franchise history—and the 3rd most 35+ point playoff game by a point guard in NBA history.
This is one of the greatest to ever do it.
He just disciplined an opponent mid-series.
Textbook definition of walking a team down.
There’s levels to this shit.
We witnessed a murder—Brunson wipes his prints off the gun as he ducks into the locker room. Job completed.
Here are some other quick takeaways from the Knicks win while I have your attention…
OG Anunoby superstar rise
Mikal Bridges scored 0 points in the Knicks Game 3 loss. In the 2022-23 season, Bridges averaged 20.1 points for the Brooklyn Nets. 3 years later and he’s grown too modest to even look near the basket, lest it feed his ego, god forbid.
OG Anunoby saw Mikal’s timidness and said “bet”, eating any shot attempt granted to him between Jalen Brunson herculian efforts and Karl-Anthony Towns’ avalanches towards the rim.
look at OG man 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/VoJT8OoQ3X
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 29, 2026
OG making the most of all opportunities, cutting to the basket, running in transition, hitting open 3’s, getting to the free throw line, the Knicks don’t win without his DNA all over the blueprints.
If/when the Knicks win the title, it’ll be on the back of OG’s manipulation of games both offensively and defensively. All while looking and behaving like a Smiling Friends character.
Karl-Anthony Towns DPOY
Karl-Anthony Towns has 7 blocks in 5 games, tied for the 4th most in the playoffs so far. The best defense Karl-Anthony’s played since wearing the Kentucky powder blues.
All it took was Mike Brown calling him out in post-game press conferences every single night.
He’s 7-feet tall. I never believed he was incapable of protecting the rim. When KAT plays basketball, not overthinking every decision, talking to Spike Lee sitting courtside, Jim from The Office into cameras after an obvious offensive foul, but reacting, understanding his talents and just letting the game happen, he’s one of the best players on Earth.
Who’s going to stop KAT? Neemias Queta? Be fucking for real.
Can Atlanta still come back to win this series?
Game 6 in Atlanta Thursday night.
Season on the line.
Just lost Game 5 by nearly 30.
Let Jeremy Sochan put up 10 points in garbage time.
Atlanta can’t even stop the Knicks 12th man.
That Game 5 loss wasn’t the result of bad shooting luck or asymmetrical officiating or an injury.
Jalen Brunson decided he was done playing the Hawks.
Atlanta’s counterpunch, CJ McCollum, scored just 6 points on 3-for-10 shooting, less than Jeremy Sochan btw.
Nickiel Alexander-Walker and Jalen Johnson are cool Most Improved Player candidates—congrats on getting more playing time—but it’s time to scout for the NBA Draft.
Atlanta owns the Pelicans lottery pick, potentially adding a franchise cornerstone.
Can you imagine AJ Dybantsa AND Zaccharie Risacher on the same squad??
Knicks in 6.
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