Key Takeaways:
- Atlanta Hawks erased a 12-point deficit after three quarters to defeat the New York Knicks 107-106
- CJ McCollum scored 32 points and delivered the go-ahead basket with 33 seconds left, despite missing two late free throws
- The Eastern Conference first-round series is now tied 1-1, with Game 3 set to take place in Atlanta on Thursday
Playoff Showdown: Hawks Fight Back to Stun Knicks
The Atlanta Hawks overturned a double-digit deficit in the final quarter to edge past the New York Knicks 107-106 at Madison Square Garden on Monday, levelling their first-round playoff series at one game apiece. CJ McCollum led the Hawks with an impressive 32-point outing, orchestrating a late-game surge that saw Atlanta claim the lead for the first time in the second half with under three minutes remaining.
Keep the faith 🙏 pic.twitter.com/cHWN6NKUCI
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 21, 2026
McCollum Shines in the Decisive Minutes
McCollum proved pivotal down the stretch, scoring the basket that gave Atlanta a 101-100 advantage with 2:09 on the clock and following it up with another to extend their lead to three. After the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson drained a crucial three-pointer to draw level, McCollum responded again with a jumper at the 33-second mark, putting the Hawks ahead 105-103. Despite missing two free throws with 5.6 seconds remaining, McCollum’s efforts were enough as Mikal Bridges’ last-second jumper for the Knicks failed to connect at the buzzer.
Contributions Across the Court
Atlanta’s Jonathan Kuminga added 19 points from the bench, while Jalen Johnson chipped in with 17, including a clutch finish with ten seconds left to push the Hawks’ buffer to four points late in the contest. On the Knicks’ side, Jalen Brunson led with 29 points and Karl-Anthony Towns posted 18, with Towns erupting for 14 of his points in the third quarter as New York appeared set to secure the win.
| Team | Key Scorer | Total Points | Other Notable Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Hawks | CJ McCollum (32) | 107 | Jonathan Kuminga (19), Jalen Johnson (17) |
| New York Knicks | Jalen Brunson (29) | 106 | Karl-Anthony Towns (18), Josh Hart (15 pts, 13 rebs, 6 asts) |
Historic Collapse for New York
The defeat marked a rare missed opportunity for the Knicks. Prior to Monday’s game, New York held a 40-1 record in the postseason since the 1954-55 introduction of the shot clock when leading by 12 or more after three quarters. Their only prior loss in such scenarios came in the 1994 Eastern Conference finals against Indiana, spurred by Reggie Miller’s memorable performance.
The Knicks, aiming to secure a fourth consecutive second-round appearance – their longest such playoff stretch since the 1991-92 to 1999-2000 seasons – had been on course before the Hawks’ late surge. Josh Hart finished with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists and summed up the defeat: “This is a game we should have won,” he said. “In the playoffs you can’t give away games.”
Series Even Ahead of Game 3
The series moves to Atlanta for Game 3 on Thursday, with both sides seeking to gain the upper hand in this tightly contested first-round matchup. McCollum, who arrived from Washington in a January deal for Trae Young, notably navigated hostile Garden jeers and edged his duel with Brunson in the second half to lead Atlanta to a vital away victory.
