Brunson got off to a scorching start, pouring in 19 points in the first quarter—the most by a Knicks player in the opening period of a playoff game in the play-by-play era.
He finished 9-of-22 from the field and 3-of-4 from three, showcasing no fear whether open or confronting contact. Notably, he hit 60 percent from the floor in a half, the third time in his postseason career he achieved that mark with at least 15 attempts.
This season, Brunson was in his fourth year with the Knicks after spending his first four seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, where he began to carve out a breakout role before becoming a core star for New York in 2023.
The Knicks now hold a 1-0 lead in the series, with Game 2 scheduled for Monday back at Madison Square Garden.
New York also sports a strong home record this season, going 31-10 in 41 home games as it steers toward their postseason push.
If the series continues, Games 3 and 4 will move to State Farm Arena in Georgia, as the Hawks host back-to-back contests on the road.
