It was an obliteration. A masterclass of complementary basketball, and a statement to the rest of the Eastern Conference that the New York Knicks are a force to be reckoned with the rest of these playoffs. The Knicks traveled to Atlanta and roasted the Hawks with a 51-point beatdown, at one point leading by over 60 points in the first half after a 67-13 run.
New York won by 51 despite resting their starters for much of the second half, so who knows what the score would’ve been if they kept their foot on the gas. Amid the wild game, Karl-Anthony Towns had himself a historic night, dazzling with his playmaking and tying a franchise legend.
Karl-Anthony Towns And His Knicks Have A Historic Night In Statement Win Over Hawks
The Knicks led 83-36 at the half, the largest halftime lead in NBA playoff history in a score that had to be seen to be believed.
OG Anunoby looked like prime Kawhi Leonard, scoring 29 points on just 14 shots for an insane 89.5 TS% in 27 minutes, while also contributing 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists, and a block.
However, it was Towns who made NBA history on this special night. Towns achieved a triple-double, his second of the series, to join Hall of Famer Walt “Clyde” Frazier as the only Knicks in franchise history with multiple triple-doubles in the same postseason.
He also joined NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain as the only 7-footers to record multiple triple-doubles in a postseason. Whenever your name is carved alongside Chamberlain’s in the history books, you are doing something special.
Incredibly, Towns wasn’t done, as his triple-double made further history since he attempted only four shots and made made field goal. He joined Isiah Thomas, Chamberlain, and Mark Eaton as the only players in NBA history to record a triple-double on one made field goal.
“You had a triple double in just four shots …”
“I only had four shots?!”
KAT learning his stat line in real time with @saltersl after closing out the Hawks 😠pic.twitter.com/8kyBAQ7Rcf
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 1, 2026
When interviewed postgame by Lisa Salters, he was told about the remarkable stat line: “You had a triple-double in just four shots…” KAT then looked stunned and responded, “I only had four shots?!” She confirmed and added, “Just four shots! You only took four shots. Your passing was incredible.”
She’s correct, as Towns put on a playmaking masterclass. While Towns is known as an elite shooting big man, the most underrated aspect of his game is his passing ability. This postseason, that has been on display, and his array of pinpoint passes in transition closed out the Hawks.
After the Knicks fell behind 1-2 in the series, a key adjustment by head coach Mike Brown was to run the offense through Towns. Since then, he and the Knicks have thrived, serving up three straight blowout wins and setting up a second-round matchup with the winner of the Boston Celtics-Philadelphia 76ers series.
But for tonight, Towns and the Knicks can celebrate a truly historic night.
