On Saturday night, the New York Knicks played the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.
The Knicks won by a score of 113-102.
Jalen Brunson finished with 28 points, five rebounds, seven assists and one steal while shooting 9/22 from the field and 3/4 from three-point range in 36 minutes of playing time.
Knicks Star Jalen Brunson Made History In Hawks Game
GettyJalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks reacts after his shot to end the first quarter during Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026 in New York City.
Brunson also made history during the game.
ESPN Insights wrote: “Jalen Brunson got off to a hot start for New York, highlighted by 19 1st quarter points, the most by a Knicks player in the opening quarter of a playoff game in play-by-play era (since 1997-98).
It didn’t matter if he was left open or had to play through contact, he shot 60% in a half for the 3rd time in his postseason career (min 15 FGA)!”
Brunson is in his fourth year playing for New York.
He finished the regular season with averages of 26.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists per contest while shooting 46.7% from the field and 36.9% from three-point range in 74 games.
GettyJalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks heads for the net against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026 in New York City.
Brunson And The Knicks
The Knicks now have a 1-0 lead over the Hawks with Game 2 on Monday night back at Madison Square Garden.
They are 31-10 in 41 games at home.
Last season, Brunson helped lead the Knicks to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years.
GettyJalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks reacts to a three point shot by Landry Shamet #44 during the second half of a game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on November 19, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
Brunson had spent the first four years of his career with the Dallas Mavericks.
He was a solid role player, but then broke out into a superstar with the Knicks in 2023.
GettyJalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks before a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on March 08, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
In addition to Brunson, the Knicks were also led by Karl-Anthony Towns.
He finished with 25 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one steal and three blocks while shooting 6/13 from the field and 3/4 from three-point range in 33 minutes of playing time.
Following Monday, the Knicks and Hawks will head to State Farm Arena in Georgia for Games 3 and 4.
New York Knicks Star Jalen Brunson Made History In Hawks Game