Brunson finished with 28 points and seven assists, and he punctuated the win with 17 points in the opening quarter alone, repeatedly finding creases in Atlanta’s defense and delivering efficient scoring through a mix of pull-up jumpers, drives, and free throws.
The Knicks’ advantage nearly disappeared in the second quarter as Atlanta surged back with back-to-back 3-pointers and isolation plays, trimming a 16-point lead to two at halftime and exposing a lull for New York that will need addressing moving forward.
New York steadied after the break, leveraging depth and steady defense to regain control. The second unit helped stabilize possessions through the third, and Miles McBride knocked down a timely late 3 to help seal the win, while Mitchell Robinson provided a presence on the interior.
The Hawks offered some resistance from their bench, but New York’s balanced scoring and clutch contributions from role players proved decisive in Game 1, giving the Knicks momentum as the series shifts to Atlanta. Deuce McBride also noted Josh Hart’s multi-faceted impact as a key part of New York’s performance.
