CJ McCollum’s 32-point performance turned a Knicks onslaught into a Hawks steal in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Atlanta trailed by 14 points in the third quarter after another New York surge, but the Hawks held on as McCollum delivered three late buckets, including a go-ahead baseline jumper over OG Anunoby with 34 seconds left.
His effort undid a dominant inside showing from New York’s big men, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson, who combined for 31 points and eight rebounds before the Hawks’ comeback.
McCollum missed two free throws with five seconds remaining and Atlanta up one, but Mikal Bridges’ baseline jumper at the buzzer rimmed out, preserving the 107-106 Hawks win.
How the Hawks stole homecourt advantage
The victory gave Atlanta a 2-0 series lead and homecourt advantage for the next two games in Atlanta, flipping the series dynamic after New York had held court in Madison Square Garden for Game 1.
Robinson drew a technical foul after stepping over Dyson Daniels following an offensive foul, and Jose Alvarado and McCollum exchanged words in the third quarter, resulting in offsetting technicals.
McCollum then embraced the role of villain, taunting the Garden crowd into chanting an unsavory phrase usually reserved for Trae Young, underscoring the growing animosity between the teams.
What the Knicks must adjust in Game 3
New York now faces elimination pressure with the series shifting to Atlanta, where the Hawks have thrived under the lights and the rivalry has intensified.
Cleveland’s Kenny Atkinson emphasized aggression in his series against Toronto, and the Cavaliers have dominated early, but the Knicks must find a way to disrupt Atlanta’s rhythm and contain McCollum’s late-game execution.
Atlanta’s resilience in overcoming deficits and converting under pressure has become the defining trait of their playoff run so far.
Why did the Knicks lose despite strong performances from Towns and Robinson?
The Knicks’ big men produced efficiently early, but the Hawks’ comeback was fueled by McCollum’s late scoring and New York’s inability to close out the game, highlighted by Bridges’ missed buzzer attempt.
Can the Knicks recover from a 0-2 deficit in this series?
While overcoming a 0-2 deficit is rare in NBA playoff history, the Knicks still have two home games in Atlanta to adjust, but they must improve their late-game defense and reduce turnovers to have a chance.
