Brunson’s late explosion for Knicks
Jalen Brunson took over in the second half to drop 24 points — 17 of them in the fourth quarter — and pushed the Knicks to their third straight win, a timely scoring burst as New York locks down third place in the East (x.com). That kind of late‑game scoring matters because it shows Brunson can still deliver clutch output when the team needs it most heading into the playoffs (x.com).
Jalen Brunson spent three quarters setting the table in Atlanta, then ate the whole meal himself in the fourth. He scored 17 of his 30 points in the final period on April 6 and dragged the New York Knicks past the Atlanta Hawks, 108-105. (espn.com) The finish was tight enough that the last shot needed a review. C. J. McCollum banked in a heave from beyond half court at the buzzer, but officials ruled it late, and the Knicks left State Farm Arena with their third straight win. (espn.com) (cbsnews.com) Brunson did not just score late. He produced 14 of New York’s final 16 points, hit the tiebreaking jumper with about 30 seconds left, and then made the free throws that set the final margin at three. (gmanetwork.com) (ajc.com) That burst covered for a game that had been tilting Atlanta’s way. The Hawks led 57-53 at halftime, built a 10-point edge in the third quarter, and still held a 100-95 lead with 3:15 left before Brunson flipped the ending. (espn.com) (newsbreak.com) The supporting cast kept New York close enough for that closing run to matter. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Mitchell Robinson added 12 rebounds off the bench and gave the Knicks extra size inside. (espn.com) (sports.yahoo.com) Atlanta had the hotter perimeter scorer for most of the night. Nickeil Alexander-Walker poured in 36 points, and the Hawks made 16 three-pointers to New York’s 11, but New York survived by shooting better inside the arc and getting the last clean looks. (espn.com) (sofascore.com) The timing is the real story here. New York improved to 51-28 with the win, while Atlanta fell to 45-34, and the result also snapped the Hawks’ 13-game home winning streak. (espn.com) (cbsnews.com) Brunson’s fourth quarter mattered because it looked like the version of him New York needs in April and May. When a playoff game slows down and every possession turns into a half-court puzzle, a guard who can get to a midrange jumper, draw a foul, or create a clean shot in the last two minutes becomes the answer key. (sny.tv) (gmanetwork.com) That is why one quarter can feel bigger than 30 total points. The Knicks did not need a pretty win in Atlanta on April 6, 2026; they needed proof that when the score sticks in the low 100s and the defense knows who is getting the ball, Brunson can still bend the game anyway. (espn.com) (sny.tv)
