Jalen Brunson's epic performance leads Knicks to series-leading win

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Jalen Brunson's epic performance leads Knicks to series-leading win

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Apr 28, 2026 11:41 PM ET

Facing all of the pressure, the New York Knicks put together their best performance of the series on Tuesday night. With the win, New York has now taken control of the series and sits one more win away from advancing.

Winning every single quarter of the game, the Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks 126-97. New York opened the game with a 35-22 lead after one quarter and ended the game with a 36-25 fourth quarter.

Jalen Brunson had one of his epic playoff performances

Leading the way for New York, Jalen Brunson played like a captain should and showed why he's one of the Knicks' all-time playoff legends. After scoring only 19 points on 38.9% shooting in Game 5, Brunson exploded with 39 points on Tuesday.

He also fell just one point shy of 40 while shooting 65.2% from the field, connecting on 15-of-23 shots. A trio of triples, three rebounds and dishing out eight assists completed his memorable night.

39 FOR BRUNSON POWERS KNICKS TO 3-2 SERIES LEAD.

AN ABSOLUTELY STAR-STUDDED MSG CROWD SHOWS THEIR LOVE pic.twitter.com/pVR5C9z5aa
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2026

Brunson didn't do it all alone either. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded another double-double with 16 points, 14 boards and six helpers.

OG Anunoby registered a double-double of his own with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Jose Alvarado scored 12 points, Jeremy Sochan had 10 and Josh Hart contributed nine himself.

Knicks contained C.J. McCollum all game long

Defensively, the Knicks clamped down and made sure C.J. McCollum wasn't going to beat them again. McCollum, who scored 32 in Atlanta's Game 2 win, was held to just six points on 10 shots in Game 5. After scoring 81 points in the first three games of the series, New York's improved defensive effort has held McCollum to just 23 points in the last two games.

Now with a 3-2 series lead, it's up to the Knicks to close it out and gain some rest before the second round. But to get rid of the Hawks for good, New York will have to win on the road in Atlanta.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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