Knicks roll past Hawks for statement Game 1 playoff victory

The Knicks looked like a team on a mission on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.

On the strength of a strong second half, the Knicks rolled to a 113-102 win over the Hawks in Game 1 of their first-round series.

The Hawks made a bit of a push late in the fourth quarter, but the Knicks held them off for a double-digit win.

Jalen Brunson celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer in the first quarter of the Knicks’ 113-102 Game 1 win over the Hawks on April 18, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Karl-Anthony Towns drives on Mouhamed Gueye during the third quarter of the Knicks’ Game 1 win over the Hawks. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Jalen Brunson (28 points) and Karl-Anthony Towns (25 points) provided most of the offense as the Knicks — who saw all five starters reach double figures — take a 1-0 series lead into Monday’s Game 2.