NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 39 points, nearly extending his own franchise record for 40-point playoff games, and the New York Knicks routed the Atlanta Hawks 126-97 on Tuesday night for a 3-2 lead in the first-round playoff series.
With their second straight lopsided victory, the Knicks positioned themselves to win the series Thursday night in Atlanta. They would have another chance at home in Game 7 if they need it — and it's getting harder to picture why they should.
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New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson, left, and OG Anunoby, right, defend Atlanta Hawks' Jalen Johnson, center, during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' OG Anunoby, right, drives past Atlanta Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson, left, and OG Anunoby, right, defend Atlanta Hawks' Jalen Johnson, center, during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson (11) talks to a teammate during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Atlanta Hawks, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Atlanta Hawks' Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) fights for control of the ball with New York Knicks' Mitchell Robinson (23) during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson drives past Atlanta Hawks' Dyson Daniels (5) during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
The Hawks took a 2-1 lead in the series with one-point victories in Games 2 and 3, but a pretty sizable gap between the teams has appeared since. The Knicks led by 24 on their way to a 114-98 win in Game 4 in Atlanta and by 32 on Tuesday, when the lead was never below double digits in the second half.
“I know they’re going to try to bring a lot of force down there,” Knicks reserve Jordan Clarkson said. “So we've got to be prepared and we know what’s coming, so we’ll be ready.”
Brunson already had eight 40-point games in his first three postseasons with the Knicks. He hadn't even cracked 30 in this series until pouring in 17 points in the fourth quarter to prevent any chance of Atlanta making it a game.
Brunson said the Knicks have picked up their play in the last two games and said they were confident, but also cautious.
“Anything can happen in this series, so we’ve just got to be locked in for Game 6,” he said.
OG Anunoby added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks, while Karl-Anthony Towns had 16 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. The Knicks need one more victory to reach the second round for the fourth straight season, which would continue their longest streak since advancing nine straight times from 1991-92 through 1999-2000.
Jalen Johnson had 18 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for the Hawks. Dyson Daniels scored 17, but CJ McCollum, the catalyst of both Atlanta victories, had just six.
The Knicks outrebounded the Hawks 48-27 and had a 13-4 advantage in fast-break points against an Atlanta team that needs to win the transition game.
“I just think that their mindset was to come out and try to bully us and be physical, and they did that," Daniels said.
The Knicks made eight of their first 12 shots, then broke free with a 9-0 run late in the first quarter and were ahead 35-22 at the end of the period. Brunson had the last two baskets of an 8-0 surge in the second that pushed it to 59-37, and the Knicks led 64-48 at the break after making 58.5% their shots.
Leading by 18 after three, they put it away when Brunson had a three-point play and 3-pointer to ignite a 12-0 spurt that made it 110-82.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu both had 16 points for the Hawks.
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New York Knicks' OG Anunoby, right, drives past Atlanta Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson, left, and OG Anunoby, right, defend Atlanta Hawks' Jalen Johnson, center, during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson (11) talks to a teammate during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Atlanta Hawks, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Atlanta Hawks' Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) fights for control of the ball with New York Knicks' Mitchell Robinson (23) during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson drives past Atlanta Hawks' Dyson Daniels (5) during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Eight candidates running to become governor of California lobbed heated criticism at each other Tuesday in a chaotic televised debate filled with interruptions, tense exchanges and verbal detours — even at times from moderators.
The unruly format underscored the instability in a crowded race that has no clear leader, with mail ballots going to voters in less than a week.
Candidates sparred over questions ranging from how to cut gas prices to potential state charges against federal immigration agents to how best to contend with wildfires. Several sought to show their working-class roots, pitching themselves as the candidates who truly understand affordability woes.
The debate brought together the two leading Republicans, conservative commentator Steve Hilton and county sheriff Chad Bianco; and six Democrats, former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, billionaire Tom Steyer, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state schools superintendent Tony Thurmond.
The candidates were asked to address the state's long-running homeless crisis, wildfire insurance shortages, projected budget shortfalls and staggering housing costs. Voters, meanwhile, are saddled with growing everyday costs for groceries, utility bills and gas.
A mostly mannerly debate last week without Villaraigosa and Thurmond on stage proved largely inconclusive, with no candidate managing a breakaway moment. It was the same case again Tuesday, but for different reasons.
With time running out to make an impression with voters, candidates appeared eager for conflict, and many questions resulted in interruptions as they tried to speak over each other. Answers were cut short, sometimes by moderators.
“Wow, that was a bit of a mess,” said a college student in the crowd who was given an opportunity to poise a question to the candidates.
Becerra was targeted repeatedly, suggesting that other candidates see him gaining momentum. They and one of the moderators pressed him whether he could legally declare a state of emergency his first day in office and freeze home insurance rates, as he has pledged to do.
Hilton accused him of misunderstanding state law. But Becerra, who is also a former state attorney general, said his proposal is legal and noted that he led through states of emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The governor’s office is not a place with training wheels,” he said.
President Donald Trump, who has a long-strained relationship with the heavily Democratic state, came up in exchanges, though he was not the major focus of the night. Hilton and Bianco support the president, while Democrats have vowed to stand in the way of federal immigration raids and Trump’s conservative agenda.
Becerra, alluding to the president's endorsement of Hilton, referred to Trump as “Steve Hilton’s daddy.”
Hilton responded: “All these big things that affect us on a daily basis, these are decisions made here in California by our politicians. And we’ve had the same people in charge for 16 years now.”
The debate largely hewed along partisan lines, with Hilton and Bianco saying heavy regulations and taxes supported by Democrats are to blame for the state's challenges. The Democrats, meanwhile, each tried to sell themselves as having practical solutions and the right experience.
Porter stressed that she is the only one who refuses corporate campaign donations, saying, “I am not for sale.” That came after she hit Steyer for his former hedge funds investments in fossil fuels.
Steyer, who left the firm in 2012, said utilities and other business interests are spending money to attack him because he is unafraid to take them on.
The race is to replace outgoing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is barred by law from seeking a third term.
California puts all candidates on a single ballot, and the two with the most votes go on to the November general election regardless of party. Democrats have worried that their crowded field could result in two Republicans advancing, which would be a historic calamity for the party.
Democrats have dominated state government in California for years. The GOP has not won a statewide election in two decades, and registered Democrats outnumber Republicans about 2-to-1.
The race was shaken up this month after the dramatic downfall of U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell over sexual assault allegations. When he left the race — and then Congress — he was among the leading contenders.
The debate was hosted by CBS LA and aired on the network's state TV stations and websites.
Austin reported from Sacramento, California.
From left, Xavier Becerra speaks besite Katie Porter, Matt Mahan and Antonio Villaraigosa during a gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS LA at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Katie Porter, center, reacts during a California gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS LA at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Steve Hilton, right, speaks beside Tom Steyer during a gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS LA at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Xavier Becerra speaks during a gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS LA at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
From left, Tony Thurmond, Chad Bianco, Tom Steyer, Steve Hilton, Xavier Becerra, Katie Porter, Matt Mahan and Antonio Villaraigosa participate in a gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS LA at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
