Jalen Brunson poured in 28 points to spearhead New York’s 113-102 win over Atlanta in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. He struck six consecutive shots early, tallying 22 before halftime, but went cold 0‑for‑7 in the second half. Despite the slump, his play set the tone for a gritty Madison Square Garden atmosphere.

Knicks depth surfaced as Karl‑Anthony Towns added 25 points, eight boards and four assists after the break, while OG Anunoby contributed 19 and Mitchell Robinson grabbed 14 rebounds. Atlanta endured several miscues, including C.J. McCollum’s accidental groin kick on Brunson and Jonathan Kuminga’s elbow on Towns, underscoring the physical tenor of the matchup.

Mike Brown praised the collective sacrifice, noting anyone can step up when called upon. Brunson’s defensive poise and the perimeter pressure that held Nickeil Alexander‑Walker to 6‑of‑17 reinforced New York’s game plan. With the series now 1‑0, the Knicks have demonstrated the resilience needed to push deeper into the playoffs.

That performance marked Brunson’s 38th 20‑point outing as a Knick, edging him closer to franchise legend status. Though he missed a potential 40‑point night, his early dominance and leadership kept New York ahead despite Atlanta’s bursts. The victory sets a tone of depth and grit for the Knicks’ postseason run.