McCollum scored 32 points as Atlanta Hawks stunned the New York Knicks 107-106 to tie their first-round playoff series.
The Atlanta Hawks erased a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the New York Knicks 107-106 on Monday night, evening their best-of-seven first-round playoff series at one game apiece. CJ McCollum’s 32 points powered Atlanta’s late surge, but his two missed free throws with 5.6 seconds remaining nearly cost them the win. The Knicks raced upcourt without any timeouts left, only for Mikal Bridges’ game-ending jumper to fall short as time expired.
Atlanta trailed the entire second half and was behind by 12 points after three quarters. A relentless fourth-quarter push saw the Hawks trim the deficit steadily, with McCollum’s basket at 2:09 remaining putting them ahead 101-100—their first lead of the game since halftime. After Jalen Brunson answered with a three-pointer to tie it, McCollum immediately responded with a jumper to regain the lead at 105-103 with just 33 seconds left.
Jonathan Kuminga contributed 19 points off the bench, while Jalen Johnson added 17, including a crucial bucket with 10 seconds left to extend the Hawks’ lead to four. The No. 6-seeded Hawks, who host Game 3 on Thursday, rode their young core’s clutch performances to secure the victory. Their playoff push now hinges on maintaining this momentum heading into the next matchup.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 29 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 18 as New York aimed to advance to the second round for a fourth straight season—their longest such streak since the 1991-92 to 1999-2000 campaigns. Towns was held to four points in the first half but erupted for 14 in the third quarter, helping the Knicks build an 8-point cushion with under five minutes remaining. Despite the late collapse, their push for postseason success remains on track, though this setback complicates their path forward.
Acquired in January’s trade that sent Trae Young to Atlanta, McCollum stepped up in his first playoff game at Madison Square Garden by outplaying Brunson in the second half. He navigated the hostile crowd, including a technical foul for a confrontation with Jose Alvarado in the third quarter, before delivering the game-sealing plays. His clutch shooting and composure under pressure proved decisive in a game that appeared lost for much of the night.
Josh Hart delivered a near double-double with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Atlanta’s late rally. The Knicks’ young stars, who had driven their surge after the All-Star break, found themselves on the wrong side of a heartbreaking loss. Their inability to close out a winnable game leaves questions about their readiness for the next round.