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Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after a three-point basket against the New York Knicks during the first quarter of game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Fifth-year wing Jonathan Kuminga on Thursday became the first bench player in Atlanta Hawks franchise history to score 10 or more points in the opening quarter of a playoff game in his team’s Game 3 win over the New York Knicks.

The Congolese player shot 4-for-4 from the field in the opening quarter, including two threes, helping the Hawks build a commanding 33-21 lead after the first 12 minutes. While the Knicks made several runs late in the game, the momentum generated by Kuminga and the Hawks’ bench ultimately proved to be the difference.

Per ESPN Insights, Kuminga etched his name in Hawks lore on Thursday.

“Jonathan Kuminga’s 10 points in the 1Q are the most by a Hawks bench player in the first quarter of a playoff game in the play-by-play era (1997-98).”

Jonthan Kuminga Shines for Hawks

Kuminga, who arrived in Atlanta from the Golden State Warriors at the trade deadline, delivered an equally impactful performance in his new team’s Game 2 win.

NBA.com’s Shaun Powell broke down Kuminga’s performance in the last two games.

“For the second straight game, each a win for the Hawks, Kuminga thrived. He followed up a 19-point performance in Game 2 by boosting the Hawks’ bench, totaling 11 points in 12 first-half minutes. Those buckets helped the Hawks seize control of the game quickly; they kept the lead until losing it only briefly 63 seconds from the buzzer.

“Kuminga finished with 21 points, made a crucial steal to seal the outcome and is endearing himself to coach Quin Snyder. At this stage, Kuminga has not only found a role but a meaty place in the rotation, which doesn’t appear to include Zaccharie Risacher, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick who lost his spot to Kuminga.

“He did some things that really gave our team a lift,” said Snyder. “I think the biggest thing he’s done is he’s just defended. Another guy that’s in there and competing.”

Knicks Down 2-1 Hole vs Hawks

Kuminga was so impressive on Thursday that the Hawks kept him in the closing lineup over Dyson Daniels, the team’s best perimeter defender.

CJ McCollum, who sealed Atlanta’s win with a go-ahead 15-foot fadeaway jumper with 12.7 seconds left on Thursday, couldn’t stop raving about Kuminga’s impact.

“He’s been awesome,” McCollum said, via Michel Scotto.

“He has championship DNA coming from the Warriors. The athleticism is off the charts. He’s got a mid-range. He knows how to post up, screen, and defensively, he can guard 1-5. He was in a not so great situation and now he’s found a happy home.”

The Knicks now face a must-win Game 4 on Saturday, which will also be held at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The Knicks have never bounced back from a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA playoffs and are 0-15 in franchise history when facing such a deficit. As such, their season could be over if they suffer another loss in less than 48 hours.