Mike Brown described Jalen Brunson's 39-point display in the New York Knicks' Game 5 win over the Atlanta Hawks as "phenomenal".

Brunson helped New York on their way to a dominant 126-97 victory for a 3-2 lead in the series, which could be clinched in the next game in Atlanta. 

The Knicks were also added by OG Anunoby's 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in with 16 of his own, along with 14 rebounds and six assists. 

It was a result that put New York on the cusp of reaching the second round of the postseason for the fourth consecutive season, which would continue their longest streak since advancing nine straight times between 1991-92 and 1999-2000.

Brunson's performance was by far his best of the series, which saw Atlanta lead 2-1 heading into Game 4 after back-to-back one-point victories. 

And the 29-year-old has often saved his high-scoring input late in playoff series since joining the Knicks from the Dallas Mavericks four years ago. 

He had three straight 40-point games in the first round against the Philadelphia 76ers in 2024, a 40-point game against Detroit last year to clinch the series in Game 6, and one of his best, a 39-point, 12-assist performance against Boston last year in the second round to give the Knicks a 3-1 lead.

Brown, however, believed this was his best to date, saying: "He [Brunson] was phenomenal."

oh captain, my captain pic.twitter.com/MqhQQijWjl

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 29, 2026

The Knicks coach also believed that the adversity his team have faced during the first round of the postseason will help them should they advance in the playoffs. 

"You've got to go through some adversity through the course of the year and see what you're made of, see how you'll respond," Brown added. 

"The guys have been through a lot so far this year and continue to go through it. They've been through it as a group. There's nothing that will deter this group, this veteran group."

Brunson made 15 of 23 shots from the floor and added eight assists against one turnover for New York, with 17 of his points total coming in the fourth quarter.

He said the Knicks have picked up their play in the last two games and expressed that the team were confident, but also cautious.

"[We have] the right mindset," Brunson said. "Now this [game] is over with. We won. It's 3-2 now. As soon as we get to the back, we'll flush it and get ready for Game 6.

"It's like a chess match. If someone makes a move, you've got to make another. You've got to wait to see what they do. The way we play, we've got to be ready for anything.

"Anything can happen in this series, so we've just got to be locked in for Game 6."