Jalen Brunson Dropped 39 and the Knicks Just Took Control of This Series

Jalen Brunson finally showed up when it mattered most. The New York Knicks' star point guard had been waiting for his moment in the first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks, and Game 5 at Madison Square Garden was it. Brunson poured in 39 points, the best of the entire series, as the Knicks absolutely dismantled the Hawks 126-97 on Tuesday night. New York is now up 3-2 and just one win away from the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Brunson's Dominance Was the Difference

This wasn't some early-series feel-good performance. Brunson had been relatively quiet through the first four games, but he turned it up when the pressure was highest. He especially came alive in the fourth quarter, pouring in 17 points down the stretch to put the game completely out of reach. The Hawks had shown throughout the series that they could go on runs and steal games, just like they did in Game 2 on the road, but the Knicks weren't about to let that happen Tuesday.

"The ball went in, but just happy to we were able to keep the lead," Brunson said after the win. "They're a team that's capable of going on runs, as you know, from early in the series. But I liked the way we played in the fourth and kept the lead."

This Is What Brunson Does When It Counts

This Game 5 performance fits a pattern for Brunson in the postseason. In 2024, he went off with three straight 40-point games against the 76ers in the first round. Last year, he dropped 40 in Game 6 to clinch the series against Detroit. He also had a 39-point, 12-assist masterclass against Boston in the second round that gave the Knicks a 3-1 lead.

Brunson's done this before. When the stakes climb and the series tightens, he finds another gear. Tuesday wasn't as dramatic as some of his past playoff moments, but it was exactly what the Knicks needed at exactly the right time.

The Knicks get their chance to close it out Thursday and punch their ticket to the next round. That's the whole season right there.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.